ÌÇÐÄVlog

University Policies

The following policies are some of the key policies of ÌÇÐÄVlog related to the conduct of the university and its individual members. These, and additional policies and procedures, are detailed in  and the ,  and . ÌÇÐÄVlog students, faculty and staff are expected to conduct themselves according to all policies laid out in handbooks and catalogs. As questions of conduct, policy or procedure arise, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to review handbooks and catalogs for the appropriate policy.

Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy

ÌÇÐÄVlog (ÌÇÐÄVlog) is committed to establishing and maintaining a community rich in equality and free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. As an institution rooted in the values of Christian discipleship, community, service, and peacebuilding; ÌÇÐÄVlog commits itself to the highest standards of personal and professional conduct. Relationship violence and sexual misconduct are prohibited at ÌÇÐÄVlog. Relationship violence and sexual misconduct are community issues and can only be prevented through active community participation.

FERPA Rights, Directory Information and Other Privacy Concerns

University privacy policies include , which afford students certain rights with respect to their education records and university directory information.

Should you wish not to have directory information released, you must make a formal request in writing to the university registrar.

Non-Discrimination Statement

ÌÇÐÄVlog does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or any legally protected status. As a religious institution, ÌÇÐÄVlog expressly reserves its rights, its understandings of, and its commitments to the historic Anabaptist identity and the teachings of Mennonite Church USA, and reserves the legal right to hire and employ individuals who support the values of the university.

ÌÇÐÄVlog’s designated coordinator for matters related to the nondiscrimination statement, which is part of ÌÇÐÄVlog’s affirmative action plan, is the university provost.

Privacy Notice Policy

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Intellectual Property

(excerpt from Intellectual Property Policy) 
The purpose of this policy is to clarify issues related to the ownership, use, and sale of intellectual property created by university personnel. ÌÇÐÄVlog wishes to foster an intellectual environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and excellence while managing its resources for the benefit of all constituents. In this policy the university seeks to foster these goals and honor traditions in the academic setting while recognizing federal laws.

Intellectual property refers to any copyrightable or patentable work.

Policy with respect to students attempts to balance student and institutional needs. Intellectual property created by students is considered the property of the student. The university, however, reserves the right to use such material, with appropriate discretion and attribution, in promotion of the university. Intellectual property created by students and employees jointly is considered to be jointly owned by the creators. (The employee shall have decision-making powers in regard to permissions and sales of jointly created property.)

To view the complete Intellectual Property Policy, contact the provost office at: provost@emu.edu

Student Complaint Policy

ÌÇÐÄVlog welcomes open communication from students regarding  university policies, practices, and student experiences. Student feedback assists the university  in evaluating effectiveness and improving processes, services, and procedures. Whenever  possible, students are encouraged to first seek informal resolution by communicating directly  with the individual, office, or administrator responsible for the area of concern. In cases where  power differentials make direct communication difficult, students are encouraged to speak to  their advisor, coach, student life staff member, or other trusted faculty or staff members who can  connect them to the administrator responsible for the area of concern.  

Formal Written Complaints 

When a student wishes to submit a formal written complaint, the student should complete the  Student Complaint Form available at ÌÇÐÄVlog Student Complaint Form.  

The complaint form is directed to the executive advisor to the president, who will determine the  appropriate university official to review and respond to the concern. The university official  assigned to the complaint will review the written complaint and will communicate with the  student about the complaint, often scheduling a meeting to hear more from the student and  explore options for resolution. A formal written response from the university official will be  provided within five business days of notification of the complaint. The formal written response  will include the text of the written complaint, communication and steps taken to review and  respond to the complaint, and a statement of how the complaint was resolved. The executive  advisor to the president will receive a copy of the response.  

If the student is not satisfied with the outcome or resolution of the complaint, the student may  pursue additional review through the university’s Conflict and Grievance Policy and Procedure,  as outlined in the applicable student handbook. ÌÇÐÄVlog prohibits retaliation against any student  who submits a complaint in good faith. Allegations of retaliation may also be addressed through  the Conflict and Grievance Policy and Procedure.  

Complaints for Distance Education Students (Online)  

ÌÇÐÄVlog participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements  (NC-SARA). Students enrolled in distance education courses or programs who reside outside  the Commonwealth of Virginia and who have exhausted ÌÇÐÄVlog’s internal complaint processes  may appeal unresolved complaints to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia  (SCHEV), the Commonwealth of Virginia’s NC-SARA portal entity, or to the SARA state portal entity of the state in which the student is located. The appeal must be made within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made. 

NC-SARA complaints generally relate to consumer protection matters associated with interstate distance education activities, including: 

• inaccurate or misleading information regarding tuition, fees, or program costs; 
• inaccurate information regarding program completion requirements; 
• concerns related to advertising or recruitment practices; 
• or failure to comply with applicable state or federal consumer protection requirements. 

Complaints relating to grades, student conduct matters, academic judgments, or student employment matters are generally not governed by NC-SARA policies and should instead be addressed through university academic or student accountability procedures. 

Students seeking to file a complaint with SCHEV may do so after exhausting ÌÇÐÄVlog’s internal complaint procedures. Additional information and the SCHEV complaint process are available at: SCHEV Student Complaints Information 

Approved by President’s Cabinet May 21, 2003
Revised March 2007
Revised February 2009
Updated March 2021
Revised and Updated May 2026
July 2026 update pending approval

Research Misconduct Policy

Consistent with the mission, vision and values of ÌÇÐÄVlog and with its Life Together statement, the university holds faculty and students to the highest standards in the conduct of research. While ÌÇÐÄVlog aims to prevent any instances of researcher misconduct, the university takes seriously the need to investigate possible instances of misconduct. ÌÇÐÄVlog is committed to a process of considering complaints made in good faith while protecting the positions and reputations of complainants and all those asked to participate in investigations.

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Catastrophic Events and Continuity of Operations

Crisis and emergency management preparation is an essential function for ÌÇÐÄVlog. The university maintains and adheres to specific policies and procedures regarding crisis situations, catastrophic events and program discontinuances in order to minimize the length of time that students’ educational activities are disrupted and, when applicable, minimize the length of time that students, faculty, and staff are displaced.

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