CMSV 201 Student Rights and Confidentiality
Policy Name: Student Rights and Confidentiality
Enrollment in the College’s Master of Science Physician Assistant Program affords all students basic rights as they pertain to both Mount Saint Vincent and, specifically, the program.
All Master of Science Physician Assistant Program students have the right to competent, knowledgeable instructors who conduct themselves in a professional manner in their interactions with students in didactic, clinical, and professional phases of the program. A student who is experiencing difficulty with either an instructor, adjunct, or principal faculty member, including a clinical preceptor, should contact the program director or their faculty advisor so that appropriate action may be instituted.
Classrooms should be able to provide the proper educational environment for student learning. The classrooms, or other appropriate facilities, should also have available current instructional materials and modern equipment that meets the technical training needs of the physician assistant student.
Instructors must maintain a classroom environment that is conducive to and compatible with learning. Students who disrupt that environment will be asked to leave the classroom or clinical area. If a particular student persists in disruptive behavior, disciplinary action they will be presented to the Academic Performance Committee where either a professional warning or professional probation will be considered.
Student’s Right to Privacy
Student records are protected from unauthorized access and release by the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.
Students may inspect and review files in the University of Mount Saint Vincent Master of Science Physician Assistant Program office during regular office hours with a faculty member. At no time will information be removed from a student’s permanent file. Students who wish to challenge the content of records may do so in one of two ways:
- A letter may be placed in the student record indicating the student’s objections to a given entry.
- Students may request a review under the formal Academic Grievance Procedure (outlined in the Policy and Procedure Manual).
Release of student records by the program (i.e. to potential employers) is granted only upon completion of a written Consent for Release of Confidential Information signed and dated by the student from the requesting employer requesting student information. The program’s principal faculty, administrative staff, preceptors, and adjunct faculty who have direct involvement with the education of the student are provided access and may review student records without written consent of the student at the discretion of the program director.
Student Confidentiality with Regard to Program Faculty and Administrative Staff
As a College employee, one may have access to, or knowledge of, information pertaining to a student or students on the campus. All information on private matters regarding students should be considered confidential and is never to be disclosed to others, not even to other employees, unless such disclosure is clearly in the student’s educational interest, is a matter of health and welfare, or otherwise constitutes an exception under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). Faculty should contact the Office of Student Affairs for clarification, if needed.
Information about students, employees, and internal relationships at the College may only be released to outside parties by designated Mount Saint Vincent personnel, within limits set by College policy and in compliance with federal and state regulations.
Any faculty member and administrative staff failing to comply with this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including, dismissal.
Learn more about confidentiality.
Please note: For further clarification of student confidentiality see CMSV-328 (FERPA) in the Policy and Procedure manual.
Sexual Misconduct Policy and Student Rights and Grievances
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681) is an all-encompassing federal law that prohibits discrimination based on the gender of students and employees of educational institutions which receive federal financial assistance. This statute states as follows: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance…” 20 U.S.C. § 1681.
Title IX Coordinator
Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and 34 C.F.R. Part 106, Title IX, the Title IX Coordinator assesses institutional compliance with Title IX, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Campus Sexual Violence Elimination (SaVE) Act, and other related federal and state discrimination laws and guidance documents. The Title IX Coordinator develops, implements, updates, and serves as the principal coordinator for policies, procedures, and programs to raise awareness of gender equity and sex discrimination across the College. The Title IX Coordinator oversees all complaints of sexual misconduct and sexual discrimination for all members of the College community and is responsible for Title IX and Sexual Harassment training of all segments of the College community. The duties and responsibilities related to the coordination of the College’s Title IX compliance efforts include but are not limited to:
- Notification and education, including training for students, faculty, and staff
- Consultation, investigation, and disposition
- Providing appropriate remedies, including interim measures
- Institutional monitoring and compliance assurance
The College’s Title IX Coordinator is:
Director for Human Resources
Founders Hall, Room 113
(718) 405-3212
[email protected]
The Title IX Coordinator is also responsible for investigating complaints when an administrative or staff employee is accused of sex discrimination or sexual misconduct.
Title IX Deputy Coordinators
Pursuant to Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and 34 C.F.R. Part 106, Title IX, Title IX Deputy Coordinators help to process and investigate complaints of sexual misconduct and sex discrimination and assist with general education and compliance efforts. All deputy coordinators are knowledgeable about and will provide information on options for complaint resolution after consultation with the Title IX coordinator.
The Deputy Coordinator for students is:
Vice President for Student Affairs
Founders Hall, Room 114
(718) 405-3253
[email protected]
The Deputy Coordinator for faculty is:
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean of the College
Founders Hall, Room 206
(718) 405-3343
[email protected]
Inquiries or complaints that involve potential violations of Title IX may also be referred to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, which can be reached at:
New York Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
32 Old Slip, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10005-2500
Telephone: (646) 428-3900
FAX: (646) 428-3843; TDD: (800) 877-8339
[email protected]
Inquiries or complaints may also be referred to the Educational Opportunities Section of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Policy and Procedures
The College seeks to foster a safe and healthy environment built on mutual respect and trust. At the foundation of the College’s mission is the recognition of the equal and inviolable dignity and worth of every person. Sexual misconduct of any kind is a serious violation of these principles and will not be tolerated in any form.
The College defines sexual misconduct to include sexual exploitation, sex-based harassment, sexual assault, stalking, and relationship violence of a sexual nature. Sexual misconduct can occur between strangers or acquaintances, including people involved in an intimate or sexual relationship. Sexual misconduct can be committed by men or by women, and it can occur between people of the same or different sex. Sexual Harassment, including sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination.
Any member of the College community who encourages, aids, assists, or participates in any act of sexual misconduct against another is in violation of the College policy, Title IX, and Article 129-B.
Violence that is not of a sexual nature is also incompatible with the College’s mission and a violation of College policies. Policies and procedures governing incidents of violence that are not of a sexual nature are covered separately. This policy governs the process and procedures for sexual misconduct at the College and is separate from New York State Penal Law and its policies and procedures.