As an institution of higher learning, the University maintains high standards and expectations for behavior, respect and civility of each member of our academic community. The mission of the Franklin Intervention and Awareness Team (FIAT) is to serve as the centralized resource and advisory body to address problem behaviors of members within the university community.

This team facilitates the sharing of information and provides oversight of prevention and intervention programs, policies and services by creating a shared understanding and language of patterns and trends of behavioral problems that occur across the university.

Primary objectives of the teams include, but are not limited to:

• promoting the health and safety of all members of the University community;
• creating an environment where development, education, prevention and intervention are fostered and encouraged;
• proactively identifying and responding to patterns or trends of inappropriate behavior; and
• promoting and facilitating a culture of reporting.

Reporting incidents or concerns can be completed by emailing advocate@franklin.edu. Anonymous reporting of an incident or concern can also be completed at http://www.lighthouse-services.com/franklin.

The mission of Franklin University (referred to here as “the University”), is to provide high quality, relevant education enabling the broadest possible community of learners to achieve their goals and enrich the world. To achieve this, the University provides educational experiences that enhance intellectual abilities and career development. The University’s Community Standards are designed to promote the educational mission of the University and to encourage respect for the rights of others. All students have responsibilities as members of the University community and are expected to uphold and abide by certain standards of conduct embodied within a set of core values that include honesty and integrity, respect for others, and respect for campus community. The general principles stated below identify University expectations regarding personal conduct and are the principles that shape the regulations and practices outlined in these Community Standards.

• Honesty and Integrity: Personal integrity is expected of all community members in all aspects of community life, both in and outside of the classroom. University students are expected to exemplify honesty, integrity and a respect for truth in all of their interactions.
• Respect for Others: Community members are encouraged to treat all people with respect without regard to age, religion, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, immigration status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or familial status, disability, or veteran or military status. Such respect for one another promotes free and open inquiry, independent thought and mutual understanding.
• Respect for the Campus Community: It is in the common interest to protect both University property and the private property of all members of the community. 

The Community Standards process is not intended to be a punitive process for students. The focus of Community Standards is to protect students and the campus community. By a student’s voluntary attendance at the University, they agree to comply with University regulations. As responsible adults and representatives of the University, students are accountable for their actions both on and off campus. Membership in the Franklin University community does not provide immunity from the laws and standards of local, state or national jurisdictions. The University may advise appropriate officials of violations of civil or criminal law committed on campus. 

Reporting incidents and concerns to the Office of Community Standards can be completed by emailing advocate@franklin.edu. Complete Community Standards/Student Code of Conduct policies and procedures, including resources for filing reports, grievances and appeals can be found at:

https://www.franklin.edu/about-us/policy-information/student-code-of-conduct

For information regarding the Academic Integrity Policy, please refer to the Academic Information/Policy section.

The Office of International Students and Programs (OISP) supports international students in the USA and abroad in their educational journey by facilitating a learning environment that empowers international students to make the most of the American educational experience.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) defines an alien as “any personal not a citizen or national of the United States” (2015) and a nonimmigrant as “an alien who is admitted to the United States for a specific temporary period of time” (2015), including students, visitors, and temporary workers. Nonimmigrants within the United States and foreign nationals outside the United States at Franklin University are considered international students and are served in numerous capacities through the Office of International Students and Programs.

The office strives to enhance the experiences of international students at Franklin University by providing advocacy, immigration, cultural, and programmatic support from application through graduation. This includes:

• Assisting international students pursuing admission to University programs
• Guiding international students in the pursuit of their personal, academic, and professional goals
• Advising F-1 students on current immigration issues within SEVP guidelines to include work authorization
• Facilitating personal and intercultural development and transitions that occur while studying in an American program
• Supporting Global Programs implementation, admissions, registration, account management, and logistics
• Supporting the university’s goals and vision surrounding comprehensive internationalization domestically and abroad.

Franklin University does not provide health insurance to domestic students. Health insurance coverage is required for all international students in F-1 status. Insurance premiums are billed automatically to the student’s tuition account upon registration for courses. A waiver of this health insurance coverage may be granted to students who meet the waiver requirements and submit the waiver petition and documentation to the insurance broker by the beginning of each term. Students taking a vacation trimester are strongly encouraged to continue insurance coverage by completing a bridge application. Spouse and dependent coverage is also available for purchase from the insurance broker. Forms and additional information regarding this insurance requirement may be obtained from the Office of International Students and Programs. More information is available at:  https://www.franklin.edu/current-students/international-students/living-us/accident-illness-insurance

The University recognizes the needs of students with disabilities and is committed to the provision of services that ensure equal educational opportunities and access. All University buildings are handicap accessible. Handicap parking is available throughout the campus and provides access to all University facilities.

The Office of Disability Services offers services to meet the needs of students with physical, mental and/or learning disabilities. The Disability Services Coordinator provides guidance, coordinates support services, serves as a resource to faculty and makes individual referrals when appropriate. Some of the support services available include special test arrangements, note taking assistance, readers for exams, and interpreting services.

Medical, psychological and/or educational documentation is required for review prior to the use of these services. All records on file are strictly confidential. It is the responsibility of the students to contact the Office of Disability Services to discuss the types of assistance that will best meet their individual needs. Specific programs or courses may have particular policies that may be obtained from your Academic Advisor. Please visit https://www.franklin.edu/about-us/policy-information/disability-services.

Any questions can be emailed to accommodate@franklin.edu for more information.

Students with properly documented disabilities will be identified through the Office of Disability Services. The Disability Services Coordinator will meet with the student and provide an overview of the available services. The student will take the University’s mathematics placement test with accommodations to fit the student’s disability, as determined by the Office of Disability Services in cooperation with the Mathematics Department. The student will then be placed into a class and will receive appropriate accommodations for the disability. Accommodation may include one or more of the following: testing in the Learning Commons Testing Center, extended time for testing, a test reader, or modification of the requirements of the course by the instructor with the approval of the Mathematics Lead Faculty.

If the student fails the math course one time, he or she will meet with the Mathematics Lead Faculty to discuss alternatives such as repeating the course or taking an alternative Math course. Substitutions for course requirements in the major will have to be approved by the appropriate Program Chair.

The University expects the highest standards of behavior and conduct of each member of the campus community. In some instances, missteps occur that are detrimental to maintaining honesty and integrity, respect of others, and the respect of the campus community. The University Student Grievance Process is an administrative process designed to provide a way for a member of our campus community to identify instances that disrupt the academic community and request a formal review.

A grievance is a complaint, accusation, or concern a member of the campus community has about their experiences with one or more individuals in the campus community, or by the University as a whole. It may involve a one-time occurrence, a pattern of experiences that has had a negative impact on a community member’s experience with Franklin, or a basic decision made in the normal course of operations that the student believes was made capriciously or has a disparate impact on the student relative to others.

The formal Grievance Process is facilitated by the Department of Student Affairs and should be initiated only after efforts to resolve issues directly are exhausted. The Office of Community Standards takes leadership of the Grievance Process and facilitates the initial review and determines the outcome of the investigation. Any member of the campus community may initiate the Grievance Process by submitting a completed Grievance Form with appropriate documentation.

The complete overview of the Student Grievance Processes and Grievance Form can be found at: www.franklin.edu/ community-standards. Anonymous reporting of an incident or concern may be completed through Lighthouse at www.lighthouse-services.com/franklin.

Student organizations are an excellent way to extend learning beyond the classroom, meet fellow students, and make valuable professional connections. Leadership, planning and team building are just some of the essential skills sets that students can learn and execute through organization involvement. For a list of current student organizations at Franklin, please contact the Office of Student Life at:  Studentlife@franklin.edu.

The Department of Safety & Security Services is committed to creating a safe and secure campus for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The Department collaborates with various stakeholders to provide professional and effective programs, services, and education designed to positively contribute to the University’s overall mission, while promoting safety and security. For information relating to the safety and security services, and to view Franklin’s most recent Annual Security Report, please visit http://www.franklin.edu/student-services/ safety-and-security-services/. 

The University is committed to the holistic success of our students. To this end, the following resources are recommended to students who need assistance with life issues beyond the scope of the services provided by the University.

Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (http://adamhfranklin.org/) Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (SAMHSA) (http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/)

Screening for Mental Health (http://mentalhealthscreening.org/)

University Resource Guide: (https://www.franklin.edu/sites/default/files/Franklin%20University%20Resource%20Guide.pdf)

New Student Orientation is highly recommended for all students prior to starting their first course. NSO prepares students for their first term by providing an overview of policies, resources, and information necessary to be successful in higher education and at Franklin University. Upon registration, students will be provided with instructions on how to access and complete the orientation.

Information for Franklin current and prospective students is available in the lobby of the Paul J. Otte Center for Student Services, 331 East Rich Street, Columbus, Ohio. Information is also available on our website at www.franklin.edu.