Grievance and Integrity Disclosures

FERPA COMPLIANCE
Rhombus University respects the privacy of your education records and complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Generally, a higher education institution must have written permission from you in order to release any of your education records to another person or agency. However, FERPA allows higher education institutions to disclose those records, without your consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions pursuant to (34 CFR § 99.31).
• University officials with legitimate educational need to have access to your information
• Other schools to which you are transferring
• Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes
• Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student
• Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the Seminary
• Accrediting organizations
• Complying with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena
• Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies
• State and local authorities within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.
FERPA also gives you certain rights with respect to your education records:

You have the right to inspect and review your educational records and transcripts. You submit a request for access letter to the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) in writing and identify the record(s) you wish to inspect. The CAO will make arrangement for access and notify you of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the CAO or Registrar, you will be advised of the correct official to whom the request should be directed.
You have the right to request an amendment to your education records if you believe the information is misleading or inaccurate. To request an amendment, you should write the Seminary official responsible for the record, clearly identifying the part of the record you want changed, specifying why it is currently misleading or inaccurate. If the Seminary decides not to amend the record as requested, the Seminary will notify you of the decision and advise you of your rights to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to you when notified of the right to a hearing.
After a hearing, if the University still decides not to amend the record, the student has the right to place a statement in their file setting forth his or her views about the contested information.
You have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Rhombus University to comply with FERPA requirements.
Family Policy Compliance Office Department of Education Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-8520
Additional FERPA information is available from the U.S. Department of Education.
U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue SW Washington, D.C. 20202 (800) 872-5327
DISCLOSURE OF DIRECTORY INFORMATION
The University may disclose, without consent, “directory” information such as a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, the University must tell students about directory information and allow a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information. The University must notify eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a bulletin, student handbook, or newspaper article) is left to the discretion of each institution.
Information defined as Directory Information by Rhombus University may be released without your consent. Directory Information about you disclosed by Rhombus is defined as follows:
Name
Address
Phone Number
Email address
Your Photo (for identification purposes only)
Enrollment Status
Date of Graduation
Degrees and Honors Received
Major Field of Study
Dates of Attendance
Most Recent Institution Attended
Your social security number is never considered Directory Information.
You may opt out of Directory Information disclosure by submitting a written request to the Chief Academic Officer.

Academic Performance and Standing
Academic standards of performance have been established to ensure satisfactory progress toward a degree. The classifications of academic performance are:
Good Standing
A minimum institutional GPA of 3.0 (a grade of B) must be maintained to be in good standing.
Academic Warning
An Academic Warning is a level of intervention on your behalf if you receive a failing grade (F) grade or a withdrawal failing (WF) grade for a course. Either grade requires that you speak with University officials and advisors to discuss strategies for academic improvement. The VP for Academic Services will notify you via email in you are given this standing.
Academic Probation
Academic Probation is the next level of intervention on your behalf if you receive 2 consecutive failing grades (F and/or WF). Probation requires that you speak with University officials and advisors to discuss additional strategies for academic improvement. The Chief Academic Officer will notify you via email in you are given this standing.
Academic probation is lifted after successfully passing two consecutive courses.
Academic Dismissal
Academic Dismissal is the result if you receive 3 consecutive failing grades (F and/or WF). The Chief Academic Officer will notify you via email in you are given this standing, and you will not be allowed to register for courses.
The purpose of dismissal is to prevent you from accumulating debt for studies you do not appear to be able to complete.
Appeal of Dismissal
A student who is dismissed from Rhombus University may appeal for reinstatement by submitting a written appeal to the Chief Academic Officer. The student must document the circumstances that contributed to poor academic performance and submit the appeal at least one month prior to the desired start date. The CAO will engage the Dean and faculty regarding the appeal. The Dean will notify the student of its decision within thirty days of receipt of the appeal. Decisions of the Dean are final.

CODE OF CONDUCT AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Rhombus University is a Christian, Bible-based institution whose primary purpose is to equip persons for counseling and leadership. Rhombus requires you to give evidence of a desire to be equipped for these roles, and expects you, as an approved applicant, to live in a manner worthy of that calling and behave appropriately and professionally.
Rhombus University reserves the right to take disciplinary action if you violate this standard of personal and ethical conduct. Violations of this standard shall include, but are not limited to:
• Academic misconduct including, but not limited to, plagiarism or cheating
• Giving false statements to the University orally or in writing including but not limited to application for admission, registration, or altering records
• Violation of academic regulations and policies
• Financial irresponsibility
• Fighting, bullying, or abusive/vulgar language
• Use or possession of illegal drugs
• Sexual misconduct
If you are involved in a civil infraction, you are accountable to civil authorities. But you may also be subject to discipline by Rhombus University.
In keeping with Galatians 6:1-2, it is the University’s intent to approach ethical conduct violations in a redemptive manner. Rhombus University expects the learning community (students, faculty, and administration) to accept responsibility for reporting any actions that are detrimental to the building of a faith-based learning community.
Since Rhombus is a fully online institution, the seminary does not have or enforce a dress code policy. However, in cases where students engage with instructors and one another via live video streaming platforms please observe appropriate decorum of dress while on camera.
Student Identity Verification
Rhombus University verifies the identity of students in order to ensure that learning exercises are being completed by the student who was approved admission into the program.
Identity Fraud
Committing identity fraud is considered particularly serious within the online learning community and could have legal implications as well. If you have another individual impersonate or in any other way commit identity fraud in any course, assignment, exam, or any type of academic exercise, you will be expelled from Rhombus University.

Confidentiality of Classroom Content
Materials posted to the class or online discussion posts are for class use only. Students and faculty are expected to protect the confidentiality of all classroom materials and course discussions.
You should never transmit any classroom materials without specific written permission from Rhombus University’s administration. In the case of online discussions, you should never transmit any posts without specific written permission of the person quoted. Be sure to give credit to that individual when you use the quote.
No Spam Policy
Rhombus University enforces a “No Spam” policy. Please do not add fellow students or University personnel to your broadcast email lists.
Sexual Harassment
Rhombus University is committed to the respect and dignity of every employee, student, and guest. Harassment in any form, verbal, physical, or visual is incompatible with the biblical standard of Christian conduct and academic integrity. It is the policy of the University that no one be subjected to harassment, whether it is sexual, racial, ethnic, or some other type. Any employee, faculty member, or student will be subject to disciplinary action for violation of this policy.
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:
• Submission to that conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or education,
• Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for academic or employment decisions affecting that individual, or
• The conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s academic or work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment, education, or living environment.
Examples of sexual harassment may include, but are not limited to:
• Unwelcome sexual propositions
• Sexually graphic comments about a person’s body
• Unwelcome touching, patting, pinching, or leering
• Persistent, offensive, and unwelcome sexual jokes and comments
• Unwelcome displays of sexually graphic pictures
Sexual harassment is illegal under both state and federal law. It is also unlawful to retaliate against an employee, faculty member, or student for filing a complaint of sexual harassment, or for cooperating in an investigation of sexual harassment. In some cases, sexual harassment may be subject to prosecution under criminal law. At Rhombus University, sanctions for sexual harassment by employees, faculty, and students may include the full range of disciplinary actions up to and including termination of employment or expulsion from the University.
Created or transmitted messages that contain statements or language that is abusive, offensive, defamatory, or harassing in nature are strictly prohibited and are subject to the same disciplinary procedures as though spoken. The University’s policy prohibiting discrimination or harassment encompasses the email system. Employees are encouraged to report any misuse of the University’s email system to the Chief Academic Officer. Violation of this policy will be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including termination.
ACADEMIC DISCIPLINARY ACTION OR DISMISSAL
If a student is in violation of the Code of Conduct found in this Catalog, the individual is subject to disciplinary action or dismissal as determined by the Chief Academic Officer, the Dean, or the President. Resulting actions include, but are not limited to the following:
• Reprimand and disciplinary probation
• Reprimand, disciplinary probation, and loss of credit in course or courses where dishonest work was done
• Temporary suspension with time and terms of reinstatement indicated
• Indefinite suspension with time and terms of reinstatement not indicated
• Permanent dismissal
Rhombus University reserves the right to note any of the above actions on your transcript. You may request a review by the President. The President’s decision is final with no further review or appeal.
FILING A FORMAL COMPLAINT OR GRIEVANCE
A student, professor, or staff member may file a formal complaint or grievance with Rhombus University over any unresolved issue that deserves formal investigation, including but not limited to sexual harassment or discrimination. Formal complaint forms are available from the Office of the Chief Academic Officer.
THE TITLE IX COORDINATOR AND FORMAL COMPLAINTS
The Chief Academic Officer serves as the Title IX Coordinator. Once a formal complaint is filed, the Title IX Coordinator forwards the complaint to the President of Rhombus University to seek resolution within 30 days. If the complaint relates to the President of the University, the Chairman of the Board will receive the complaint and seek resolution with external assistance within 30 days.
A student, professor, or staff member may also file a formal complaint with the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education:
Mailing Address:
Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 980818
West Sacramento, CA 95798-0818
Physical Address:
Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
1747 North Market Blvd., Suite 225
Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone: (916) 574-8900
Toll Free: (888) 370-7589
Main Fax: (916) 263-1897
Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education website: bppe.ca.gov
General Email: [email protected]

Start Here

Complete this form and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours