Federal Policies

Disability Services

The Office of Disabilities Services exists to provide the supportive environment necessary for students to achieve their academic goals. This office provides reasonable educational accommodations, advocates for an accessible learning environment and promotes self-advocacy and responsibility on the part of the students which it serves.

Students with disabilities have rights granted by two civil rights laws. These laws are the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Basically, these laws provide students with the following rights:

• Equal access to post-secondary education;
• Non-discrimination;
• Appropriate and reasonable accommodations based on each student's individual disability and how it affects learning; and
• The right to have information about the student's disability kept confidential.

Student Responsibilities

• The responsibility to disclose your disability
• The responsibility to provide the Office of Disability Services with adequate documentation of your disability
• The responsibility to meet with the Disability Services Coordinator at the beginning of each semester to set up appropriate accommodations
• The responsibility to meet the academic and conduct standards in place at Concord University

Accommodations

• Are defined as a change in how things are usually done, and may be granted to a student with a disability if that disability affects his/her functioning or ability to learn
• Provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in school
• Must be appropriate and effective for each individual
• Cannot fundamentally alter a program or course
• Cannot lower or change the academic or conduct standards of Concord University
• Cannot cause an undue burden
• Will not be provided without adequate documentation

The Letter of Accommodation Process

Any Concord University student who (1) discloses a disability to the Disability Services Coordinator, (2) presents adequate documentation of the disability and requests accommodations that are appropriate for the effects of the disability, will receive a letter of accommodation. The Disability Services Coordinator writes the letter of accommodation which states the necessary accommodations for each course. The letter of accommodation does not state what disability the student has. When the student is requesting accommodations that involve the instructor or the classroom setting, the student must share a copy of the letter of accommodation with the instructor for the accommodations to be implemented. For example, if the student has an approved accommodation of extended test time, the instructor will not be able to provide extended test time without a copy of the letter of accommodation.

Licensure & Disclosure Requirements

I. PURPOSE

This policy outlines the federal requirements for licensure programs and mandatory disclosures that the University must provide to students and prospective students in compliance with 34 CFR 668.14(b)(32) and 34 CFR 668.43 to ensure transparency and regulatory compliance for all programs offered by Concord University that prepares students for professional licensure or certification.

II. SCOPE

This policy applies to all programs offered at Concord University that are designed to meet educational requirements for professional licensure or certification which is required for employment in a recognized occupation. Those programs include Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) , Bachelor of Science in Education (BS ED), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) , Master of Social Work (MSW) , Master of Education (M.Ed.) , Master of Science in Athletic Training (MAT), and Master of Physician Assistant Studies (PA).

III. DEFINITIONS

A. Disclosure: the act of providing the necessary information to students and prospective students about whether programs meet state licensure requirements.

B. Distance Education Student: If there is any period of time during the first payment period when the student initially enrolls in the program where the student will be living in another State via distance education for any portion of the program, the student would be considered a distance education student for purposes of these requirements.

C. Licensure: The process by which a governmental agency grants permission to an individual to engage in a given occupation upon finding that the applicant has attained the minimal degree of competency necessary to ensure that the public health, safety, and welfare will be reasonably well protected.

D. Professional Licensure Programs: Educational programs designed to meet the academic requirements necessary to apply for professional licensure or certification.

IV. POLICY

A. Licensure Requirements (34 CFR 668.14(b)(32))

1. Accreditation: Concord University certifies that all professional licensure programs are accredited by their respective agencies and meet the educational requirements necessary to obtain licensure in West Virginia.

2. Out of State: For those students who are located outside of West Virginia or intend to seek licensure or practice outside of West Virginia, all licensure programs at Concord University are obligated to meet the licensure requirements for each State in which the student is located - - if the student is not enrolled in face-to-face instruction - - or in the State in which the student attests they intend to seek employment/licensure. If the student is taking courses that are required for the licensure program through distance education and is located outside of West Virginia while taking those courses, the student will not be admitted into the licensure program if a determination is made that the program does not meet the licensure requirements in the State where that student is located and that student plans to practice in that state. Out of State students, and prospective students, will only be admitted into a program that meets the licensure requirements for the state where the student is located or intends to obtain licensure/practice.

B. Disclosures to Students and Prospective Students (34 CFR 668.43)

1. General Disclosures: Concord University will provide clear and accurate information regarding the educational requirements for professional licensure and certification for each program, including:

i. A list of all states for which the program curriculum meets educational requirements, and

ii. A list of all states for which the program curriculum does not meet educational requirements.

2. Direct Disclosures: Concord University will directly disclose to prospective and current students if a program does not meet licensure requirements for the state in which the student plans to obtain licensure. The University will disclose this to prospective students prior to admission and, for enrolled students, within 14 calendar days following the University's determination that the program does not meet the state requirements for the location the student plans to obtain licensure.

3. Attestation: In order for Concord University to ascertain whether or not the program meets the licensure requirements for the state in which the student plans to obtain licensure, if outside of West Virginia, the University will obtain an Attestation from each student indicating such.

i. All students, and prospective students, who are either enrolled in or plan to enroll in a licensure program, must attest to one of the following at the beginning of each semester, regardless of whether the student is enrolled in face-to-face education or distance education:

a. I am located in West Virginia and plan to obtain licensure and/or practice in West Virginia.

b. I am located in [insert State name] and plan to obtain licensure and/or practice in West Virginia.

c. I am located in [insert State name] and plan to obtain licensure and/or practice in [insert State name].

ii. If a student is undecided on the State in which they plan to obtain licensure or has multiple states in mind, the University requires that the student indicate the State where they have the greatest likelihood of becoming employed.

4. Records: All Attestations and Disclosures will be documented and maintained by the department associated with the licensure/certification program in accordance with these regulations for auditing purposes.

5. Public Disclosures: Information regarding each state wherein the University's licensure programs would or would not be accepted in order to obtain licensure will be publicly available on our website and updated regularly to reflect any known changes. 

C. Procedures

1. Review & Update: Each Program Director will be responsible for compiling the information and conducting regular reviews of state licensure requirements and update the disclosures by July 1st of each academic year.

2. Dissemination: The University is responsible for ensuring that the disclosures are communicated to students and prospective students through appropriate channels, including, but not limited to, admission practices, applications, webpages, the academic catalog, advising sessions, and direct contact.

3. Guidance: Faculty and Staff involved in advising and admissions will receive regular updates on the disclosure process to ensure compliance and accurate communication with students and prospective students.

D. Compliance & Accountability

1. Monitoring: The Directors of each Program will monitor adherence to this policy and report any discrepancies or issues to the Provost's Office.

2. Auditing: Periodic audits of this information will be conducted to ensure that all licensure programs and disclosures comply with federal regulations.

3. Reporting: Any findings of noncompliance will be addressed promptly and corrective measures will be implemented accordingly.

V. RESPONSIBILITIES

Provost's Office: Responsible for overseeing implementation and enforcement of this policy along with monitoring compliance, conducting audits, and addressing reported inaccuracies.

Program Directors: Ensure program-specific licensure information is accurate, up-to-date, and modified accordingly.

Admissions & Advisors: Provide accurate information to students and prospective students along with ensuring consistency of disclosures.

VI. MISCELLANEOUS

This policy is effective as of July 1, 2024 and will be reviewed annually or as needed to ensure continued compliance with federal regulations and institutional practices.

For questions or additional information, please contact:

Notice of Discrimination

The institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex (biological including pregnancy and breastfeeding), age, disability, military or veteran status, religion, color, ancestry, marital status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or national origin in the administration of any of its educational programs, activities, or with respect to admission or employment.  The institution also does not discriminate based upon genetic information in the areas of employment or employee health insurance benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action

Concord University is committed to providing a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment; promoting fairness in employment opportunities for all qualified persons; encouraging outreach efforts to attract underutilized minorities and women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities; and provide for appropriate remedies due to acts of discrimination, harassment, or other violations of federal or state laws regarding Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action.

In support of its commitment to diversity, equal employment opportunity, and affirmative action, CU has adopted two affirmative action programs:

• Minorities and Women
• Individuals with Disabilities

Board Policy CU-HR-47, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) / Affirmative Action (AA). The Chief Human Resources Officer is also the EEO/AA Officer. See contact information below.

The University maintains compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations including by not limited to: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the West Virginia Human Rights Act, Title IX (Educational Amendments of 1972), Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable laws and regulations.

Sexual Harassment

Concord University will not and does not tolerate sexual harassment in any form. The University herein affirms that employees have a right to work, and students have a right to study in a positive atmosphere free from sexual harassment and abuse.

Consistent with its comprehensive mission, and in recognition that the development of human potential is a fundamental goal in a democratic society, Concord is committed to providing students, faculty, staff, and applicants for employment and admission and participants in its education and employment programs with a work and educational environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination, stalking, hazing, bullying, or harassment based on race, color, sex, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other class protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

To that end, Concord University has adopted Board Policy CU-HR-37: Nondiscrimination, Sexual misconduct, and Other Forms of Harassment, which addresses social justice, unlawful discrimination, unlawful harassment, sexual harassment based on a protected class, establishes grievance procedures, and defines the institution's prevention and education obligations.

Reporting Discrimination / Harassment

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries, complaints, or grievances regarding the institution's unlawful discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment policies and to receive and manage discrimination/harassment reports and complaints.

Sexual Harassment Complaints

All Other Protected Class Complaints