Opening Remarks from our President
Dear New
Student:
On behalf of
DeVry University, I am pleased to welcome you to our Atlanta area campuses and
University Centers. Selecting a college
is certainly one of the most important decisions you will ever make. The choice you have made to further your
education at DeVry is an achievement in and of itself and I commend you on your
decision. As you embark on this new
venture, DeVry’s university community stands ready to offer whatever assistance
we can to help you meet your educational and career goals.
One of the
greatest assets DeVry University has to offer students is our knowledgeable and
dedicated staff. Our well-credentialed
faculty brings years of industry experience to the learning process. Because the primary focus of our University
is on teaching, our professors work side-by-side with students in the
classroom, in laboratories and on-line sharing their experiences and
knowledge. In addition to our faculty,
a caring and well-trained tutorial and counseling staff is available for
assistance in a variety of areas.
We pride
ourselves in accommodating our student body with an array of services. From financial aid assistance and student
housing, to part-time job assistance and career counseling, DeVry University’s focus is always on
the student. In addition, there are
numerous activities and organizations which promote leadership, community involvement, and excellence. I encourage you to take a few moments to
read the information detailed in this handbook. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not
hesitate to ask any faculty or staff member.
I look forward to meeting you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Donna
Loraine, Ph.D.
President
DeVry
University Georgia
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACADEMIC SERVICES..................................................................................................... 4
Academic Advising.................................................................................................................. 4
Attendance Policies................................................................................................................. 4
Course Withdrawals................................................................................................................ 4
Developmental Studies Program............................................................................................... 4
Labs........................................................................................................................................ 5
Library.................................................................................................................................... 5
Proficiency Exams................................................................................................................... 6
Registration and Course Scheduling ......................................................................................... 6
Tutoring................................................................................................................................... 6
Withdrawal from School.......................................................................................................... 6
STUDENT FINANCE.......................................................................................................... 7
Educard.................................................................................................................................. 7
Financial Aid........................................................................................................................... 7
SUPPORT SERVICES......................................................................................................... 8
Academic Support Center....................................................................................................... 8
Bookstore............................................................................................................................... 8
Student Advisement................................................................................................................. 8
Career Services....................................................................................................................... 8
Group Health Program............................................................................................................. 9
Handicapped/Disabled Students............................................................................................... 9
Housing Assistance.................................................................................................................. 9
Inclement Weather/School Closings......................................................................................... 9
Intra-Systems Transfer Policy.................................................................................................. 9
International Students............................................................................................................... 10
Lost and Found....................................................................................................................... 10
New Student Coordinator........................................................................................................ 10
Registrar.................................................................................................................................. 10
Student Activities/Student Association...................................................................................... 11
Student Employment................................................................................................................ 12
Student Identification............................................................................................................... 13
Veterans Information............................................................................................................... 13
POLICIES &
PROCEDURES............................................................................................. 14
Academic Integrity Policy........................................................................................................ 14
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Policy....................................................................................... 20
Attire and Personal Grooming.................................................................................................. 21
Campus Safety and Security.................................................................................................... 21
Code of Conduct..................................................................................................................... 22
Computer/Internet Policy......................................................................................................... 28
DeVry Trademark................................................................................................................... 31
Guest Policy............................................................................................................................ 31
Minor Children........................................................................................................................ 31
Motor Vehicle Regulations....................................................................................................... 32
No Smoking Policy.................................................................................................................. 35
Privacy Rights / Access to Records.......................................................................................... 35
Procedures for Student Grievances / Sexual Harassment .......................................................... 40
Solicitation............................................................................................................................... 40
Referral Guide......................................................................................................................... 41
ACADEMIC
SERVICES
ACADEMIC ADVISING
Academic
advising is provided to help students to cope with and resolve academic
difficulties. Assistance is provided in
a number of areas.
·
Low Grades
·
Lack of
concentration
·
Difficulty
grasping course material
·
Deficient
study skills
·
Desire to
change curriculum program
When you
need assistance in academic advising, see the Academic Dean of your program.
GENERAL ATTENDANCE POLICIES
Students are
expected to be on time and to attend every meeting of every class in which the
students are registered. Attendance is
important to students’ educational success. Attendance will be recorded for each
class/lab session. It is your
responsibility to be in the classroom at the time attendance is taken and to
remain in class for the remainder of the period. Absenteeism will result in dismissal from DeVry. You are responsible for all work missed
during any absence, and it is your responsibility to contact your instructors
to find out what you missed and to inquire about possible make-up
opportunities. If you anticipate being
absent from classes for three or more consecutive days, contact the Attendance
Center located in the Registrars' Office.
The Attendance Policy can be viewed in its entirety at www.atl.devry.edu/registrar/Attendance/page3.html
COURSE WITHDRAWALS
Students who
wish to withdraw from an individual course must apply to do so with their
respective Program Dean. No student may
withdraw from an individual course after the completion of week eleven of the
semester. Students who stop attending a
course will receive a failing grade for that course.
DEVELOPMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM
The Developmental Studies (DS) Program is part
of DeVry Georgia's General Education Department and Business/ Math
Department. Students test into
Developmental Studies based on the computerized placement test (CPT). The program includes two courses: Success in
Reading and Writing (Engl034) is part of the General Education Department and
Developmental Algebra (Math090) is part of the Business/Math Department.
LABS
Alpharetta
The CIS Lab
hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 am until 11:30 pm, Saturday 8:30 am until
12:30 pm & 1:30 pm until 5:30 pm, and on Sunday 12:30 pm until 5:30 pm. The ET/TCM Lab hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 am until
11:00 pm and Saturday 10:00
am until 5:30 pm; ET/TCM Lab closed Sunday.
Lab policies and procedures are posted in each lab for your convenience.
Lab hours are subject to change.
Decatur
The labs are
open 6 days a week. The CIS, Micro and ABL Lab hours are Monday through Friday
7:30 am until 11:30 pm and Saturday, 8:30 am until 5:30 pm. The ET Lab hours are
Monday through Friday 7:30 am until 11:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am until 5:00 pm. All labs are closed on Sunday. Lab policies and procedures are posted in
each lab for your convenience.
LIBRARY
The DeVry
Library supports the educational goals and instructional needs of the
University by providing a professional librarian for reference assistance and
teaching information literacy and by encouraging students to develop their
research and independent learning skills through use of the library
collection. The library is an integral
part of the academic program at the University and students are encouraged to
explore and use the resources provided.
Books and periodicals relating to current issues, general education,
business, computer information systems, telecommunications and electronics are
available to support the DeVry curriculum.
An online electronic library catalog is available as well as electronic
and Internet access to a variety of specialized databases including the Georgia
statewide resource, GALILEO. The normal
borrowing period for most items is two weeks.
The library's web address is: http://www.atl.devry.edu/AlphaLib/LibHome.html. for the Alpharetta campus and http://www.atl.devry.edu/Dec.lib
for the Decatur campus.
Videos,
audiocassette tapes, and CD-ROMs on curriculum and self-development topics may
be checked out for 3 days. The library
also provides student access to a photocopier, scanner, and color laser
printer.
The Decatur
library is open 6 days a week. Hours of
operation are Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., Friday 7:30 am
until 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Alpharetta library is open 7 days a week. Hours of operation are Monday – Thursday
8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00
a.m. until 3:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. Library hours are subject to change.
PROFICIENCY EXAMS
Proficiency
Credit: Students may request a proficiency examination through the Testing
Center before the end of registration provided they have not previously
enrolled in the course at DeVry.
Approved nationally named tests (e.g. CLEP, DANTES) are recognized for
proficiency credit.
Graduation
requirements met by transfer or proficiency credit are included when
determining a student's academic level and progress; however, these credits are
not included in a student's grade point average. If you attend on of the DVUC’s, check with a staff member for the
availability of proficiency exams.
REGISTRATION AND COURSE SCHEDULING
A student
must select all courses and have all financial and academic obligations to the
University resolved prior to the close of registration each semester. Registration is closed at the end of Friday
of the first week of class. A student
wishing to delete a course from his or her schedule must obtain permission from
the Academic Dean by Friday of the second week of class.
TUTORING
DeVry offers
free tutoring to all students. Tutors
are available in virtually every course offered by the University. If you need help in a course, first speak to
your professor. He/she may provide
assistance needed to further your understanding of the particular course. If this extra help is not sufficient, you
may request additional tutoring from the Academic Support Center on the
Alpharetta and Decatur campuses. Once you've
made your request, you will be matched up with a tutor based upon availability
and who is best suited to meet your needs.
Tutoring can continue until you feel comfortable with your course work.
WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL
To withdraw
from school after classes have begun, a student must complete a formal
withdrawal form, which can be obtained from the Registrar. Withdrawal is considered official when all
forms have been completed and returned, and all financial obligations have been
fulfilled. If no written notice is
furnished within seven (7) days of the last date of attendance, a charge of $25
will be added to the student's account.
Official transcripts of work completed will not be issued until all
obligations to DeVry have been met.
STUDENT FINANCE DEPARTMENT
(FINANCING YOUR
EDUCATION)
All students have an Educard account to which their tuition, fees and books are charged, and onto which, payments and other credits are applied. Since no two students have exactly the same financial situation, each student’s method of payment will be different. Your first Educard payment is due at registration. You will receive your first monthly statement within the first two (2) weeks of the term and the requested payment will be due approximately three weeks later. If you have not received your first statement within 30 days, contact Student Finance immediately.
It is important that you keep current with your payment
obligations. A delinquent account may
lead to your suspension from class.
Remember, the Educard is an interest bearing (12% annually), revolving
account, so it is to your advantage to pay your account in full by the end of
each term.
The
Student Finance Department is designed to assist students in meeting the costs
of their education. Students have
Student Finance Advisors while attending DeVry. The advisors work very closely with each student to ensure that
necessary paperwork is received and processed in a timely manner. Advisors will notify students of any
information needing clarification. We
urge you to become acquainted with the Student Finance staff to work together
in meeting your educational and financial goals. You should be aware that the financial aid process is often
rather lengthy and complex and it is important that you give the Student
Finance staff your full cooperation.
When you are notified to come to the office for any reason, you should
respond immediately. The Advisors will
assess your financial need and determine the amount and type of aid you are
eligible to receive.
Once your eligibility is determined, and verified if necessary, the financial aid awarded to you, including grants, loans and scholarships, is disbursed to your (Educard) account. Any questions you have regarding your account or particular financial situation should be discussed with your Student Finance Advisor.
The Student Finance staff is committed to assisting you in achieving your goals. Students’ participation and cooperation are vital to this process. You are encouraged to take an active role by contacting Student Finance with any questions or concerns you may have.
SUPPORT SERVICES
THE ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTER
The Academic
Support Center (ASC) is designed to help students gain the skills they need to
succeed at DeVry. The software on the
computer network targets basic reading, writing, math, and algebra skills. Additional software, including word processing
and keyboarding software, is available for student use. Trained FAs assist students in using the
network and software.
The Tutorial
Center, an integral part of the ASC, is a resource for all students needing
help in reading, writing, math and algebra.
A full-time Tutorial Specialist and trained FA tutors work with
individuals and small groups. Students
may seek help on an appointment or walk-in basis.
STUDENT ADVISEMENT
Student
Advisors are committed to help students by providing services that will
·
facilitate
skills needed for academic growth, self-realization, empowerment and upward
career mobility.
·
facilitate
students in acquiring and developing academic, personal, and social skills
necessary
for college survival, academic progress,
graduation, and continuation of educational and
career endeavors.
·
enhance
students' opportunities to experience a quality education.
·
promote
student retention and reduce/eliminate obstacles that impede academic
achievements
of DeVry's student body.
BOOKSTORE
The
bookstore on both campuses, Alpharetta and Decatur, provide all required texts
and course materials for campus-specific classes. In addition to books, students may purchase school supplies, book
bags, stamps, disks, cards and DeVry apparel.
MARTA passes are currently available at the Decatur store only. Hours are posted outside both stores and are
convenient to day and evening students.
CAREER SERVICES
The Career
Services Office actively assists upcoming and recent DeVry graduates in
securing career positions related to their DeVry education. Career Services assists companies with their
employment needs and develops relationships with employers to enhance
opportunities for DeVry graduates.
Departmental services for students include career advising, Industry
Day, workshops, mock interviews, resume referral, interview coordination,
resource materials, and telephone/fax/mail services. The DeVry Cooperative Education program (Co-Op program) is also
coordinated through Career Services and enables eligible students to pursue
part-time work related to their career field.
A co-op orientation is held during each term and all interested students
are encouraged to attend.
GROUP HEALTH PROGRAM
All
registered full-time DeVry University students are required to purchase
insurance under the Group Health Plan, unless proof of comparable coverage is
furnished. All registered part-time
DeVry University students taking at least 6 credit hours are eligible to enroll
in the insurance plan on a voluntary basis.
All part-time students taking less than 6 credit hours are not eligible
for this insurance coverage.
HANDICAPPED/DISABILED STUDENTS
This program
offers support to DeVry University students with documented physical and/or
learning disabilities. The referral
process begins with the Admissions and New Student Coordinator Offices, with
the student’s submission of an accommodations request form. The disability services coordinator in
Student Services will formally assess the student’s documentation to determine
appropriate accommodations to be provided.
HOUSING ASSISTANCE
The Housing
Office, located in Student Services, provides assistance to students in making
their housing arrangements. The Student
Plan Housing option provides overall leasing arrangements, basic furnishings,
and average utility costs. The Housing
Office is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in housing, and all
housing complexes to which the students are referred must comply with this
policy.
INCLEMENT WEATHER SCHOOL CLOSINGS
Facility
closing announcements are made by local area radio and television stations
whenever inclement weather or other emergency situations necessitate closing
the University. Radio and television
names and call numbers are posted on bulletin boards throughout the school. Closings or delayed openings are also posted
on the DeVry Georgia website at www.atl.devry.edu
INTRA-SYSTEM TRANSFER POLICY
A student
desiring to transfer from one DeVry University to another must file a request
with the Registrar's office at the University the student is currently
attending no later than Friday of the tenth week of the prior semester. Exceptions to the deadline will be only for
those students with special circumstances.
All grades and credits earned at one DeVry University will be carried
forward to the new University.
A student's
financial obligation to the current DeVry University must be fulfilled before
the transfer will be permitted. (Transfers between Decatur and Alpharetta are
exempt from this policy.)
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
International
student advisement is available through the Student Services Office. Please note that certain restrictions exist
for international students in regard to employment and travel. See your international student advisor for
further details. International
students on the F-1 VISA are required to meet with their international advisor
for registration clearance each semester.
LOST AND FOUND
Students are
asked to check with the Security Office or DVUC staff member to determine if
lost items have been found. Make sure
all personal belongings contain your name for identification purposes.
NEW STUDENT COORDINATOR
The New
Student Coordinator and staff at DeVry are here to assist prospective students
with final preparation for classes and to answer questions regarding DeVry
education and registration.
REGISTRAR
NAME OR
ADDRESS CHANGE
If you move
or change your name while attending DeVry, you should contact the Registrar's
Office and complete the appropriate form.
TRANSCRIPTS
Academic transcripts
may be obtained upon written request from the Registrar's Office. A fee of
$2.00 is charged for each copy.
Students may request a "Student Copy" for their personal use. Official copies must be mailed directly to
the agency (i.e. colleges/universities, prospective employers, etc.) specified
by the student. Transcripts of work
completed will not be issued for students who have outstanding balances.
ENROLLMENT
VERIFICATION
The
Registrar's Office provides certifications and verifications of enrollment for
lenders, insurance companies, State Departments of Labor, the military and all
other agencies and individuals except the VA.
Students needing verification should check with the Registrar's staff
for the specific verification procedures.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES/STUDENT ASSOCIATION
The DeVry University Student Activities Organization (DSAO) exists to present a diverse, high-quality, and balanced co-curricular activities program complementing academic offerings, which contribute to student development.
The DSAO consists of:
The DeVry Student Association (DSA) provides students with a means of communication between DeVry students, faculty, and the Administration. The DSA also promotes a feeling of goodwill about DeVry University-Georgia. All enrolled students of DeVry University Georgia are considered members of the DeVry Student Association.
DeVry International Student Organization (DISO)—the
purpose of the DISO is to bring together all International students at DeVry
and promote scholastic and cultural fellowship among the student body.
Epsilon Delta Pi (EDP)—an honorary society for students enrolled in Computer Science and Telecommunications Management
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)—open to students in Electronics Engineering Technology
Tau Alpha Pi (TAP)—an honorary society for students enrolled in Electronics Engineering Technology and Computer Engineering Technology
The DeVry Student Activity Fee is a $40.00 one-time fee paid in conjunction with the other fees assessed at the time of registration.
Every term new students at DeVry University-Georgia pay a Student Activity Fee. Continuing students do not pay the fee. Students spend an average of eight (8) semesters at DeVry University.
By
simple calculation-
$40.00 divided by eight semesters = $5.00 per semester
The Student Activity Fee supports all extra and co-curricular activities. These include, but are not limited to the following: student leadership training, community service initiatives, discount ticket program (Six Flags, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, White Water, etc.) and the Atlanta Journal Constitution Newspaper in Schools program. All programs, resources and services funded by the Student Activity Fee benefit the DeVry University student body.
No. DeVry Clubs and Organizations are self-supporting. The DeVry Student Activities Office maintains separate accounts for each club or organization in the “DeVry Student Activities/Student Association Account.” Clubs and organizations charge membership dues and/or conduct fundraisers to off-set their expenses.
STUDENT EMPLOYMENT
The Student Employment Program is a service provided by the University to assist currently enrolled students in obtaining part-time employment. DeVry cannot guarantee jobs, however we do work aggressively to secure part-time job leads and to refer students to these leads. There are four programs in which any qualified student may participate. They are:
· On Campus Employment Program
· Federal Work Study Program
· Job Lead Development Program
· Cooperative Education Program (Co-op)
The Federal
Work-Study program is a need-based program that provides work opportunities
to students that demonstrate financial need while enrolled on a full-time
basis. Positions are
located on-campus,
as well as in outside agencies. To
determine if you are eligible, you should contact the Federal Work-Study
Coordinator located in Career Services.
To apply or find out more information about the
Student Employment Programs, please contact the Career Services Department.
STUDENT IDENTIFICATION
Student ID
cards contain each student's name, photograph and bar-coded student
number. Cards are issued by Student
Services during registration and should be carried at all times. A fee of $10 is charged to replace lost or
stolen cards. ID cards:
·
Identify you
as a DeVry student