Student Handbook

The Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling is located in the Emory & Henry School of Health Sciences at 565 Radio Hill Road in Marion, VA. Students seeking information or appointments with department faculty members should contact those faculty members directly via email or phone. The department office is generally staffed between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm on Mondays through Fridays.

The Department website is used to provide needed information to the students and faculty. The website contains faculty bios, printable versions of the student handbook, answers to frequently asked questions, important links to professional associations, and other useful Emory & Henry College sites. You are encouraged to review the department website periodically. The website address is (https://www.ehc.edu/academics/clinical-mental-health-counseling/program-info/).

Students have access to the E&H library. The library includes many professional books, journals, and pamphlets covering both general and specific topics in counseling. Students with questions about library services should contact the librarian for the School of Health Sciences, Victoria Koger: vkoger@ehc.edu

Dr. Stephanie H. Rutledge, Professor and Founding Department Chair. PhD., University of New Orleans. A licensed professional counselor in both Virginia and New Jersey, Dr. Rutledge’s interests include grief counseling, multicultural counseling, women’s issues in counseling, professional identity of counselors, and group work. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) and a Certified Thanatologist (CT). She is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for use with trauma.

Dr. David U. Burkholder, Associate Professor, Kent State University. Specialization in mental health counseling with children and adolescents, family and couples counseling. Areas of interest include career counseling, student retention, legal and ethical issues in therapy, men’s issues, and multicultural issues. He is an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) and a Level 3 trained Gottman therapist.

Dr. Jessica R. Burkholder, Associate Professor, Kent State University. A licensed professional counselor in New Jersey and Virginia, Dr. Burkholder’s research interests focus on the ethical development and multicultural training of counselors. Clinically, she has specialized in the treatment of adolescent sexual behavior problems, trauma, and mood and anxiety disorders. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) and is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

Mr. Matthew Tirrell, Program Director of Addiction Counseling/Director of Field Placement. Doctoral Candidate, Montclair State University. A Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor in the state of New Jersey, Professor Tirrell is a doctoral candidate in the Counseling program at Montclair State University, and his research interests focus on ethical disparities in the delivery of mental health and addiction treatment for minoritized affectional and gender populations. 

Students are assigned a faculty advisor upon admission to the program. The advisor is a professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Department and will serve as each student’s primary contact person regarding the program of study, choice of courses, registration questions, general information about academic progress, career plans, etc.

Dr. Stephanie H. Rutledge 276-944-7232 shall@ehc.edu Founding Department Chair, Professor

Dr. David Burkholder 276-944-7258 duburkholder@ehc.edu Associate Professor

Dr. Jessica Burkholder 276-944-7254 jrburkholder@ehc.edu Associate Professor

Mr. Matthew Tirrell mtirrell@ehc.edu Program Director, Addiction Counseling, Director Field Placement

Carolyn Powers 276-944-6851 cmpowers@ehc.edu Admin. Assistant for Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program is to graduate competent entry level clinical mental health counselors who play an active role in enhancing community wellness. Graduates of the program should be interpersonally skilled and culturally competent counselors who are prepared to work in a variety of settings, and to meet the needs of those who are underserved. The program is designed to be accredited and is based on humanistic values, honoring the worth, dignity and potential of all people.

Objectives

To carry out its mission, the department has specified a set of objectives that are implemented through the program.

1. Students will gain the knowledge and skills associated with professional orientation and ethics in counseling.
2. Students will gain the knowledge and skills associated with culturally competent counseling practice.
3. Students will gain knowledge of human development across the lifespan and its application within the counseling process.
4. Students will gain the knowledge of career development and its applications in the counseling process.
5. Students will gain the knowledge and skills associated with the establishment of therapeutic relationships and the facilitation of client growth.
6. Students will gain knowledge of major counseling theories, evidence-based practices, and skills in applying this knowledge to the counseling process.
7. Students will gain knowledge and skills associated with group facilitation and the group counseling process.
8. Students will gain knowledge associated with appraisal and testing.
9. Students will gain knowledge associated with research and program evaluation to inform counseling practice.
10. Students will gain the knowledge associated with working in multidisciplinary mental health systems.
11. Students will gain the knowledge and skills associated with mental health diagnosis.
12. Students will demonstrate an awareness of self and personal values, aptitude for graduate study, success in forming effective counseling relationships and growth in ethical and culturally competent practice.
13. Students will gain an understanding of traumatic experiences and their impact on human development.

As a department, we adhere to the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics, which includes honoring the voices of all people. As students, you are expected to behave in ways consistent with the profession’s code of ethics, including but not limited to standards expressed in its non-discrimination section. While our department believes in modeling mutual respect for a range of personal values aligned with our professional mission, we also expect that standards set forth by the code will be maintained. For instance, counselors and counseling students do not base therapeutic decisions on their own religious and/or personal values and are not permitted to privilege their own religious and/or personal value system in therapeutic or academic settings. Counselors and counseling students are therefore required to promote the values of the counseling profession and behave in ways congruent with those values, even if those values are discrepant with the counselor’s own values or religious beliefs. Counselors in training are expected to adopt an “other-oriented” stance that includes openness, respect, consideration, humility, and interest regarding the client’s cultural identities and experiences.

Accordingly, the ACA has articulated four points relating to client referral:

• Professional counselors may not deny counseling services to a gay or lesbian client (or any other protected class of clients) on the basis of the counselor’s values.
• Referrals are to be made on the basis of skill–based competency, not values.
• In order to avoid abandonment, referral is an option of last resort.
• Our ethical obligation to an individual begins at first contact or assignment, not at the first session.

By taking courses in our program you acknowledge that you understand the aforementioned standards and agree to abide by these standards throughout your academic program, and that failure to do so may result in corrective action, including dismissal from the program.

As a student admitted to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Department, you are engaged in a professional preparation curriculum. Therefore, upon admission, the department accepts you as a developing professional and expects you to act in accordance with the highest professional standards.

One way in which professionalism can be demonstrated is by adhering to professional ethical standards such as those of the (a) American Counseling Association and (b) the National Board for Certified Counselors. Copies of the current versions of these sets of ethical standards are provided in a file located in the departmental office, and links to these documents are provided on the department’s web site. You will be required to read and understand several different sets of ethical standards as a part of your coursework in your program of study. The department faculty expects you to be knowledgeable of these standards and to act in accordance with them. However, professionalism encompasses much more than just adherence to ethical and/or other written standards. It includes appropriate and effective ways of interacting with people. If you have any concerns about appropriate professional behavior, please contact your instructor or academic advisor.

As gatekeepers for the counseling profession it is the responsibility of the faculty/program to graduate only those students who have shown evidence of being capable to demonstrate clinical skills and behave in strict accordance with relevant legal and ethical guidelines. Students who have not shown the ability to do so may be counseled out of the profession, and in cases of serious misconduct, may be terminated from the program. Similarly, students who have been referred for remediation and have not successfully completed recommended remediation steps, or those for whom remediation did not result in resolution of the problem, may also be terminated from the program.

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a 60 credit program that allows students to complete the educational requirements for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) in Virginia and for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. In addition, the program allows the students to pursue elective coursework and enhance their counseling skills with field experience. This program aims to train students as leaders and advocates in the field of mental health counseling with a strong professional counselor identity. The training that you will receive at Emory & Henry College is rooted in humanistic values promoting prevention, wellness, empowerment and personal growth.

 

The Master of Science in Addiction Counseling is a 60 credit program that allows students to complete the educational requirements for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) in Virginia and for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. 

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Requirements: 60 Credits
CMHC 500 Professional Counselor Identity and Ethics 3
CMHC 510 Counseling and Psychotherapy Techniques 3
CHMC 515 Psychopathology 3
CMHC 520 Counseling Theories 3
CMHC 525 Group Counseling 3
CMHC 535 Diagnosis and Treatment of Addictive Disorders 3
CMHC 530 Multicultural Counseling 3
CMHC 540 Career Counseling 3
CMHC 545 Human Growth and Development 3
CMHC 550 Appraisal and Evaluation 3
CMHC 603 Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative 3
CMHC 625 Crisis Intervention and Trauma Counseling (3 credits)
CMHC 690 Clinical Supervision 3
CMHC 675 Grief Counseling 3
CMHC 676 Couples and Family Counseling 3
Electives (TBD) 6
CHMC 600 Practicum 3
CMHC 695 Internship (6 credits over 2 semesters) 6
CPCE (Comprehensive Exam)
Total Credits for Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling= 60

 

Master of Science in Addiction Counseling 

Requirement: 60 Credits
CMHC 500 Professional Counselor Identity and Ethics 3
CMHC 510 Counseling and Psychotherapy Techniques 3
CMHC 515 Psychopathology 3
CMHC 520 Counseling Theories 3
CMHC 525 Group Counseling 3
CMHC 535 Diagnosis and Treatment of Addictive Disorders 3
CMHC 530 Multicultural Counseling 3
CMHC 540 Career Counseling 3
CMHC 545 Human Growth and Development 3
CMHC 550 Appraisal and Evaluation 3
CMHC 603 Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative 3
CMHC 625 Crisis Intervention and Trauma Counseling 3
CMHC 690 Clinical Supervision 3
CMHC 675 Grief Counseling 3
CMHC 676 Couples and Family Counseling 3
CMHC 680 Adv Treatment of Substance Use Disorders 3
CMHC 690 Trauma Informed Addiction Treatment 3
CMHC 600 Practicum 3
CMHC 695 Internship (6 credits over 2 semesters) 6
CPCE (Comprehensive Exam) 0
Total Credits for Master of Science in Addiction Counseling = 60

MS-Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Fall Year 1

CMHC 500 Professional Counselor Identity and Ethics 3
CMHC 510 Counseling and Psychotherapy Techniques 3
CMHC 515 Psychopathology 3

Spring Year 1

CMHC 520 Counseling Theories 3
CMHC 525 Group Counseling 3
CMHC 535 Diagnosis and Treatment of Addictive Disorders 3
CMHC 530 Multicultural Counseling 3

Summer Year 1

CMHC 540 Career Counseling 3
CMHC 545 Human Growth and Development 3
CMHC 550 Appraisal and Evaluation 3
CMHC 625 Crisis Intervention and Trauma Counseling 3

Fall Year 2

CMHC 675 Grief Counseling 3
CMHC 603 Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative 3
CMHC 600 Practicum 3

Spring Year 2

CMHC 676 Couples and Family Counseling 3
CMHC 695 Internship 3
CMHC Elective TBD 3

Summer Year 2

CMHC 690 Clinical Supervision 3
CMHC 695 Internship 3
CMHC Elective TBD 3

MS-Addiction Counseling

Fall Year 1

CMHC 500 Professional Counselor Identity and Ethics 3
CMHC 510 Counseling and Psychotherapy Techniques 3
CMHC 515 Psychopathology 3

Spring Year 1

CMHC 520 Counseling Theories 3
CMHC 525 Group Counseling 3
CMHC 535 Diagnosis and Treatment of Addictive Disorders 3
CMHC 530 Multicultural Counseling 3

Summer Year 1

CMHC 540 Career Counseling 3
CMHC 545 Human Growth and Development 3
CMHC 550 Appraisal and Evaluation 3
CMHC 625 Crisis Intervention and Trauma Counseling 3

Fall Year 2

CMHC 675 Grief Counseling 3
CMHC 603 Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative 3
CMHC 600 Practicum 3

Spring Year 2

CMHC 676 Couples and Family Counseling 3
CMHC 695 Internship 3
CMHC 680 Adv Treatment of Substance Use Disorders 3

Summer Year 2

CMHC 690 Clinical Supervision 3
CMHC 695 Internship 3
CMHC 690 Trauma Informed Addiction Treatment 3

Students in the MS programs must pass the CPCE in order to be able to graduate. The CPCE was developed by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and is used as an exit requirement for students to obtain their MS degree. Because the CPCE examines the same eight content areas as the National Counselor Exam (NCE), the CPCE also serves to prepare students for the NCE. The CPCE has 160 questions, with 20 questions in each of the eight content areas. Information about the CPCE can be found here: https://www.cce-global.org/assessmentsandexaminations/cpce.

Students are encouraged to begin preparing for the CPCE well in advance of their planned examination date by reviewing course materials and utilizing Howard Rosenthal’s Encyclopedia of Counseling. Students are required to take the CPCE in their last semester of study. The CPCE is administered via computer, and students requiring accommodations must consult with the Office of Disability Support Services.

All Students must check their Emory & Henry e-mail at least once per day.

Academic Calendar

The E&H academic calendar can be found on the E&H website: http://www.ehc.edu/index.php/calendars?ctID=Academic%20Calendar and in the E&H Schedule of Classes. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program generally follows the academic calendar for scheduled religious and college holidays, EXCEPT as the holidays fall during fieldwork education experiences. In order to accommodate fieldwork education experiences, the CMHC Program class schedule may differ from the College calendar. Details will be available to students on an ongoing basis from the faculty. Before scheduling any vacations or personal time students must confirm class schedules with the Program Director/Department Chair or faculty.

Student Photos, Addresses and Identification

During new student orientation, each student will have a passport-size photo taken. This photo will be used for the purposes of identification and security by fieldwork and academic faculty and administration; that is, these photos will identify individual students to associated/adjunct faculty, fieldwork educators, and guest lecturers. Students are required to wear an ID key card at all times in the CMHC program using a clip on badge holder or a plain or Emory & Henry College lanyard. The College will provide the ID key card during orientation. This ID key card will provide access to the building including labs and classrooms. The CMHC Program will issue a name tag during orientation that must be worn during special events at school, when the program requests students to wear it, during class or lab with a guest lecturer, during interprofessional activities, during simulation activities, and during any community or clinical/fieldwork experience. If the ID Key card or name badge is lost or if the student has had a name change, the student is responsible for purchasing a replacement. It is every student’s responsibility to keep his/her address and name current with the Registrar’s Office and the CMHC Program Office.

College Library & Information Technology Services

Kelly Library functions as the heart of the College’s academic program. Library staff work with faculty and students to develop research skills, provide a wide range of support services, and enhance the teaching and learning experience. The library’s print and electronic holdings are designed to support the areas of studies offered at the College and to encourage intellectual and personal growth in a liberal arts setting. The Frederick T. Kelly Library provides easy access to more than 300,000 items including books, ebooks, periodicals, government documents, DVDs, compact discs, and electronic databases. Kelly Library subscribes to approximately 320 periodicals and newspapers in print, and over 100,000 full-text periodicals and newspapers in electronic databases available through the Library’s website. These resources can be accessed on library workstations, as well as off-campus and on personal devices. Open 89.5 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters, the library has professional librarians available to provide individualized and group instruction in the use of the library and its resources. All exceptions to the regular schedule are posted on the door, and on the library’s web page (https://www.ehc.edu/library/hours/) and social media. Students may check out print materials for 30 days and DVDs and CDs for one week. Although the library does not charge overdue fines for its materials, students are encouraged to return all materials promptly so they are available for other patrons. All materials must be returned by the end of each semester. Books borrowed from the other members of the Holston Associated Libraries consortium are subject to overdue fines from that library and must be paid at the lending library. Failure to return Kelly Library materials in a timely manner could result in items being billed to the student’s College account. The replacement charge for each item (books, CDs, DVDs, etc.) is a minimum of $75 depending on the actual replacement cost, plus processing of the lost item. Facilities include collaborative study space, private study carrels, networked computers and printers, Wi-Fi, photocopying machines, microfilm reader-printers, Kelly Computer Lab, The McGowan Computer Classroom, and the Robert D. and Rachel K. Denham Poetry Collection. Kelly Library is a member of the Holston Associated Libraries, with whom it shares a catalog and offers reciprocal borrowing privileges. Kelly Library also belongs to the Virtual Library of Virginia, Central Library of the Appalachian College Association, and other library professional organizations and consortia.

The Health Sciences Campus has a library resource room that is open when the building is open to students. Students have access to the library resource room when on the Health Sciences Campus. The resource room includes printed materials related to the program (e.g., books, journals) as well as computers and a printer. Students can access the Kelly Library via the computers in the resource room and throughout the entire building via wireless access.

Websites

Students should become familiar with the following websites:

Emory & Henry College www.ehc.edu

School of Health Sciences https://www.ehc.edu/academics/school-health-sciences/

CMHC Program https://www.ehc.edu/academics/clinical-mental-health-counseling/program-info/

American Counseling Association www.counseling.org

Virginia Counseling Association www.vcacounselors.org

National Board for Certified Counselors www.nbcc.org

Use of the Facilities

Emory & Henry College’s CMHC and AC Programs are housed on the E&H Health Sciences Campus located in Marion, VA. While students have access to all public areas of the Program facilities, they are reminded that these buildings are places of business and are education facilities. Appropriate attire is expected at all times, in keeping with our representation as members of the professional community, as well as the E&H community. Excessive noise, excessive foot traffic, or unprofessional behavior will not be tolerated. Access to the facilities is generally from 7:00 AM until 10:00 PM during the week and shorter hours on the weekend. Specific hours will be provided to each class by the program. Students share responsibility for maintaining a clean and safe environment in the classrooms, conference/resource areas and commons room. An outline of guidelines and procedures for the shared and dedicated rooms utilized by the CMHC Program appears below.

Commons Room

All students from the CMHC Program share the commons room with students from other health sciences programs. Given that it is a shared space, neatness and cleanliness are important. Students are asked to remove food and personal items from tables, and to wipe off the tables after use. Please monitor the refrigerators and microwave ovens for cleanliness. Please keep only essential food items in the refrigerator and make sure to remove all outdated and older items. In addition, students are asked to be cognizant of noise levels and to be considerate of those around them at all times.

Classrooms and Conference Rooms

Classrooms and conference rooms are shared among all students from the CMHC Program and the students from other health sciences programs. Students are asked to be considerate of faculty and guest speakers, who may find consumption of food and beverages a significant distraction during a formal presentation or not indicative of professional behavior. To avoid spills, only drinks in closed containers are allowed in the classrooms. Students accept responsibility for cleaning any spills, without disruption to teaching and learning. The use of cell phones, watch alarms, or other audible devices that may disrupt learning are NOT permitted in labs, classrooms, or conference rooms.

Safety and Security

Campus safety is a shared responsibility of all members of the Emory & Henry community. Anyone who has questions or concerns regarding safety or security on campus should immediately contact Campus Police/Security, the Dean of the School of Health Sciences, or the Dean of Students. In the event that a faculty, staff or student has a concern that he or she would like to express anonymously, the College has a hotline available at (866) 943-5787. (For more information, see Campus Conduct Hotline section on the next page.)

School of Health Sciences

The School of Health Sciences, located in Marion, Virginia, is an extension of Emory & Henry College. In the event of an emergency on this campus, please dial 911 to report the emergency. The Marion Police Department will respond. In the event of an ongoing investigation, Emory & Henry Campus Police will follow up. The campus police/security officers are College employees who report to the Vice President for Student Life and the Dean of Students, and they also are duly authorized law enforcement officers of the Commonwealth of Virginia. These officers have jurisdiction on the main campus, on all College property owned or leased, and on surrounding public streets and roads. The major responsibility of the police/security officers is to give attention to every situation which might involve the safety and welfare of students and faculty. When there are infractions of federal, state, or local laws and/or College regulations, the police/ security officer is authorized to take appropriate action, including arrest, issuing a warrant, and/or referring the student to an appropriate College official for internal action.

Student Safety

Campus Police/Security officers are on-site on the main campus 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Officers are assigned to the Marion Campus from 4:00 to midnight on weekdays and during select times on the weekend. For emergencies at these satellite campuses, students, faculty, and staff should dial 911 for assistance from local authorities. Students are urged to report to the appropriate College official any incident which may threaten his or her person or cause damage or loss of property. In an immediate emergency, always call 911. Responsibility for campus safety rests with Campus Safety and our security officers who have jurisdictional authority. College academic buildings are locked at night, on weekends, and during school holidays, unless otherwise posted. The Health Sciences Campus, located in Marion, is a tobacco-free campus and should not have any tobacco products in use on that property. The annual campus crimes report and fire safety report are available in the Dean of Students Office and are posted at https://www.ehc.edu/student-life/campus-safety/ under Campus Safety Reports.

Campus Conduct Hotline

Emory & Henry College is committed to conducting its operations with integrity by engaging in lawful, ethical, and respectful practices. For this reason, we encourage members of the campus community to make any concerns known to the College. Whether these concerns relate to fraud or crime, security or internet abuses, or fraudulent financial or business practices, violations, or ethical concerns, the doors of College administrators, supervisors, and Human Resources are always open. If students have a question or concern about a possible violation of Emory & Henry’s policies or the law, the College encourages them to express their concerns to any campus administrator. Occasionally, a faculty, staff or student may have a concern that he or she would like to express anonymously. For these occasions, the college participates in a service called the Campus Conduct Hotline at (866) 943-5787. The Campus Conduct Hotline system is available for use around the clock, seven days a week. Because the Hotline is operated by an independent organization, any calls made through this Hotline are completely confidential. The hotline operator will record the complaint or concern and forward it to the appropriate staff member at Emory & Henry College for review and action as appropriate. Callers to the hotline may remain anonymous.

Whistle Blower Policy

Emory & Henry College is committed to conducting its operations with integrity by engaging in lawful, ethical and respectful practices. For this reason, we encourage members of the campus community to make any concerns known to the College. Whether these concerns relate to fraud or crime, security or internet abuses, or fraudulent financial or business practices, violations, or ethical concerns, the doors of College administrators, supervisors, and Human Resources are always open. If you have a question or concern about a possible violation of Emory & Henry’s policies or the law, the College encourages you to express your concerns to any of the persons whose names or titles appear in the policies that are included in the Student Handbook, Staff Handbook, and the Faculty Handbook.

Occasionally, a faculty member, member of the staff or student may have a concern that he or she would like to express anonymously. For these occasions, the college participates in a service called the Campus Conduct Hotline at (866) 943-5787. The Campus Conduct Hotline system is available for use around the clock, seven days a week. Because the Hotline is operated by an independent organization, any calls made through this Hotline are completely confidential. The hotline operator will record the complaint or concern and forward it to the appropriate staff member at Emory & Henry College for review and action as appropriate. Callers to the hotline may remain anonymous.

Missing Student Notification Policy and Procedures

Each year, new students are given an emergency response card to complete so that quick notification can be made to primary and/or secondary contacts in the event of an emergency. This card allows students to identify an initial contact for the College. In the event that a student is determined to be missing, the College will notify the primary and/or secondary contact no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing in accordance with our official notification procedures. If a current emergency response card is not on file; the College will notify the parents/spouses documented in our records. In the event that the student is under 18 years of age, and not an emancipated individual, we are required to notify custodial parents or guardians within the same time frame. Anyone who believes that a student is missing should report it immediately to Office of the Dean of the School of Health Sciences, who will contact Campus Police. Details will be asked regarding the last time the student was seen, where the student was seen, and any communications that have been received. Campus personnel who may have information regarding the student will be contacted and asked to provide their last known contact with the student. If it is determined that no contact has been made with the student in question for more than 24 hours, Campus Police/Security will notify other appropriate law enforcement agencies immediately and request assistance in finding the missing student. The College will initiate the emergency contact procedures and notify the designated contact person or parents.

Family Contact

The College reserves the right to contact a student’s parent(s), guardian(s), or spouse in the event of any accident, illness, mental distress, or disruptive behavior.

Insurances

Full-time graduate students are required to be covered under a health care plan at all times while in the program.

E&H Campus Police

The campus police/security officers are College employees who report to the Vice President for Student Life and the Dean of Students, and they also are duly authorized law enforcement officers of the Commonwealth of Virginia. These officers have jurisdiction on the main campus, on all College property owned or leased, and on surrounding public streets and roads. The major responsibility of the police/security officers is to give attention to every situation which might involve the safety and welfare of students and faculty. When there are infractions of federal, state, or local laws and/or College regulations, the police/ security officer is authorized to take appropriate action, including arrest, issuing a warrant, and/or referring the student to an appropriate College official for internal action.

Campus Alert System

Emory & Henry offers a state-of-the-art notification system that is capable of sending notifications instantly and simultaneously to all registered wireless phones and email addresses. Registration is available at https://www.ehc.edu/student-life/campus-safety/. This is an opt-in program and you must register and download the AlertAware application in order to receive the alerts. This is the surest way to receive notifications critical to safety and wellbeing. In the event of a critical emergency, the campus siren will be activated. This is a signal to check your mobile phone or campus email for information. If you have questions regarding the Campus Alert System, please contact the Dean of Students Office.

What to do in an Emergency

Fire

• Activate the nearest fire alarm and CALL 911.
• Everyone must leave immediately when a fire alarm is activated, even if there are no obvious signs of an emergency.
• Do not use the elevator
• Remain calm and assist others in safely getting out.
• Confine the fire by closing all doors and windows if possible.
• Follow directions given by emergency personnel and go to the location designated by your building coordinator.

Dangerous Person

• Remain calm, do not engage the intruder.
• A quick and quiet escape is suggested, if it can be done safely.
• If attempting to escape, keep your hands elevated with open palms visible, especially if encountering law enforcement officers. Follow all instructions given.
• If you cannot safely exit the building, seek secure shelter.
• Close and lock windows, lower blinds, remain out of sight, and turn off the lights.
• Once secured, take cover behind concrete walls, thick desks, and filing cabinets that are away from windows and doors.
• Remain quiet and turn off cell phone ringers.

Medical Emergency

• If the person is seriously injured or non-responsive, CALL 911.
• Give key information to the 911 operator (location/address, type of injury/illness etc.) and stay on the line until help arrives.
• Ask others to assist (directing emergency personnel to your location, crowd control). Remain calm.
• If the person is not seriously injured, contact the College Health Center at x6538 or Campus Security at x6222 for assistance.

• Always report injuries on campus to the Office of the Vice President for Business & Finance
• Please note that Automated Electronic Defibrillators (AED’s) are available on campus in the following locations: Campus Security, Equestrian Center, Kelly Library, King Center Athletic Training Room, McGlothlin-Street Hall 139, Wiley Hall 121, Van Dyke Student Center, DPT building and School of Health Sciences.

Tornado

• Listen for the siren. A single siren blast will sound to alert you to check for emergency message via email and the Campus Alert System.

• Seek shelter inside a building until notified by College officials that it is safe to leave.
• An “all-clear” e-alert will be sent when the danger has passed.

Key Terms To Know:

• Shelter in Place: Choose an interior room or one with as few doors and windows as possible. Remain there until the danger has passed.

• Seek Secure Shelter: This means that you need to get into a lockable space, such as an office or classroom, and remain there. Lock and barricade doors, turn off lights, and turn cell phones to silent or vibrate. Get under a desk or other surface to hide. Wait for further instruction from law enforcement or College officials. If the threat is in your building and you can safely flee, then do so.
• Evacuate: This means you should immediately leave the building that you are in, exiting through the nearest and safest exit.
• Avoid Area, Warn Others: In these types of incidents, the emergency is localized on campus. College officials do not want anyone near the area and want you to alert others to stay away from the designated area.
• All Clear: Once the emergency is over, the message will be sent via the Campus Alert System.

College Policies

For all College related Policies and Procedures including, but not limited to Sexual Harassment, Alcohol and Other Drugs, Legal Issues and The Family Education Rights And Privacy Act, Release of Student Information, Equal Opportunity, etc., please refer to the College website at www.ehc.edu. Any infraction of College regulations as specified in the college Code of Conduct may be referred to the appropriate administrator, committee, or board for a hearing. However, the administrator dealing with a particular infraction may deem it to be a minor offense and may opt to utilize advising, counseling, and/or admonition to confront the student(s). Such an approach is in keeping with the College’s educational mission and serves to inform and place students on notice. Information on the offense and subsequent administrative action will be recorded and maintained as an official record for the College and the student.

ALICE Training

All students are required to attend the College’s ALICE training during orientation and prior to starting their first semester classes. ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) Training provides students with the training to proactively prepare and plan for the potential threat of an aggressive intruder or active shooter event.

Harassment and Human Rights Policy and Title IX

The CMHC Program adheres to the College policies and procedures for processing allegations of harassment. These policies can be found in the College Student Handbook. Emory & Henry College affirms its commitment to maintain for all employees and students an environment that is fair, humane, and respectful. Behavior that is contrary to such an environment will not be tolerated. This behavior includes harassment, including sexual harassment, as well as discrimination based on race, religion, gender, disability, national origin, age, or sexual orientation. Some of these acts are prohibited by both federal and state criminal and anti-discrimination laws, including Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Virginia Human Rights Act. Emory & Henry College also prohibits and will not tolerate such behavior of any member of the community toward another member. Any person accepting admission to or employment at Emory & Henry College agrees to abide by this policy. For details on Title IX at Emory & Henry College, refer to the college’s website at the following link: https://www.ehc.edu/title-ix/

Student Conduct and Professionalism

For the purposes of this handbook, Student Conduct includes all E&H student conduct and honor code policies/standards and program specific professionalism policies/standards as outlined below and in other areas of this handbook. In accepting admission to the CMHC Program, each student agrees to review and to abide by all policies and procedures of Emory & Henry College, the School of Health Sciences, and the Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Additionally, each student also agrees to abide by all policies and procedures outlined by individual clinical sites/organizations with which they may be assigned for clinical experiences. All students are urged to review the Code of Ethics of the American Counseling Association. Additionally, all students are expected to abide by all College Honor and Student Conduct Codes and Regulations as noted in the Academic Catalog and College Student Handbook. The CMHC Program and students adhere to the College’s policies on student conduct. The following information and policies are covered in the College’s Student Handbook:

• College Governance
• Conduct Expectations
• Application of Conduct Expectations
• Personal Property – Search and Seizure
• Hazing Policy
• Discrimination and Social Harassment Policy
• Sexual Misconduct Policy
• College Disciplinary Procedures
• Code of Conduct Offenses
• Sanctions
• Appeals
• Student Conduct Code

Emory & Henry Honor Code (Adopted March 16, 1999)

1. The Emory & Henry Honor Code
As members of the Emory & Henry College Community, we recognize Honor to include, among other things, the following:

• A commitment to tell the truth
• A commitment to maintain the sanctity of other’s property, including computer data/access
• A commitment to abstain from all forms of cheating and plagiarism
• A commitment to uphold the integrity and confidentiality of College documents, including computer records
• A commitment to deal responsibly with observed infractions of this code
• A commitment to honesty and integrity in all academic settings

2. The Pledge

The Honor Pledge is a statement made by each student, affirming that student’s responsibility to uphold the Honor Code. Upon matriculation, each student commits to abide by the honor system. Further, each student recognizes their duty to uphold the Honor Code in academic matters by signing each examination, quiz, paper, or other written assignment with the written pledge: I understand that Emory & Henry is a community built on trust. Therefore, as a member of this community, I am committed to tell the truth and to maintain the sanctity of other people’s property, including computer data/access. I will abstain from all fraud and dishonesty in academic work. I will neither give nor receive aid on any form of test or assigned work where such aid is prohibited, nor tolerate this conduct in any member of the Emory & Henry Community. I will deal responsibly with such acts when I observe them. By my conduct and influence, I will endeavor to build a high standard of honesty and truthfulness in all academic work. (Signed) The abbreviation “Pledged,” followed by the student’s signature will have the same meaning and is acceptable on most assignments, at the discretion of the class instructor.

Classes During Inclement Weather

Emory & Henry College has campus locations in Emory, Bristol, and Marion. Due to the difference in locations, it is possible that classes may be delayed or cancelled on one campus and not the other. Because the Emory campus is primarily a residential college with a majority of its undergraduate students living on campus, it is the intention of the College to remain open during inclement weather conditions. Under rare circumstances, such as severe inclement weather, a natural disaster, or other emergency, the College may delay the opening of college activities or suspend operations early. When information is sent to local media, the information will clarify Main Campus, located in Emory, and Marion Campus for those attending classes in that location. In the event of a delayed opening of the Marion campus, classes will be delayed but will meet for the normal length of time. The decisions to cancel or delay classes and/or cancel or delay the opening of offices because of inclement weather will be made by 6:30 a.m. on the day of the college schedule change. When inclement weather or other circumstances lead to a delayed opening and/ or cancellation of classes and office hours at Emory & Henry College, information will be communicated through a variety of sources in the order provided below.

1. Information will be distributed through the Campus Alert System, which provides an email and text message to registered users only. This is the college’s preferred method of communicating emergency messages, and college community members are strongly encouraged to sign up for this free service at http://www.ehc.edu/alert.

2. Campus Alert Messages will be posted at the top of www.ehc.edu for one hour following each alert.
3. Information will be sent to the following TV and radio stations, in order of contact: WCYB-TV 5 (Bristol); WJHL-TV 11 (Johnson City); WABN-FM 92.7 (Abingdon); WOLDFM 102.5 (Marion).

When the College cancels classes and office hours for the day, academic programming and business operations are not held on that day. 

Leave of Absence/Deceleration Policy

Students seeking a Leave of Absence from the CMHC Program must submit a written request and meet with the Department Chair/Program Director and obtain their permission. Additionally, students seeking a Leave of Absence should be aware of the following stipulations:

• Acceptable Leave of Absence requests are for personal, financial, or medical reasons.
• Leave of Absence requests are not granted for academic reasons (e.g., exam failures or imminent course failure).
• If granted during the didactic phase of the program, Leave of Absence will automatically result in deceleration from the program, and all policies and procedures of deceleration will apply.
• Students requiring a leave of greater than two semesters will automatically result in deceleration from the program, and all policies and procedures of deceleration will apply.
• Students must complete the entire curriculum and program within five (5) years of entering the program, regardless of approved leave of absences and/or deceleration.

The following procedures will apply to students requesting a leave of absence from the program:

• If a student is denied a Leave of Absence by the Program, he/she may appeal to the Dean of the School of Health Sciences, following the appeals process described in the College’s Student Handbook.
• The Leave of Absence Agreement will be signed by the Department Chair/Program Director and the student.
• Once signed, the Leave of Absence agreement will be forward to the Dean of the School of Health Sciences.
• A date will be established by which the student must notify the Dean and Department Chair/Program Director of their intent to complete the agreement and resume the program.
• Students will be required to demonstrate maintenance of competency to resume progression in the program.
• This may involve retaking courses, completion of written or practical examinations, and/or other activities deemed necessary by the program.
• These requirements must be completed prior to resumption of the program.
• If required to retake previously completed courses, students are responsible for any associated tuition and fees.

Deceleration is a mechanism for allowing students in the program an opportunity to complete the 24-month curriculum through the required repetition of a portion of the curriculum due to a student’s inability to meet the requirements of the program. Students must be in good academic standing to qualify.

The Professional Development Committee, in collaboration with the Program Director and Dean of Health Sciences, will evaluate whether a student should be offered an opportunity to decelerate in the program. Deceleration may only be granted to a student in extenuating circumstances. If granted, the student may be required to audit all courses full-time leading up to the student’s deceleration. Deceleration may also occur through repeating Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences. Decelerated students must still complete the program within the maximum time of 5 years. There may be a waiting period to re-enroll in courses based on the academic schedule.

A key part of our programs of study is clinical field experience. Students complete 9 credits of supervised field experience that provides the opportunity to work with clients at department approved field sites. Each field experience requires clinical supervision at the site, as well as group supervision by department faculty. The Field Placement Handbook the students with the details of the requirements for entering and completing both practicum and internship. All the forms that need to be completed before and during the field experience are also included in the handbook, which is posted on the CMHC department website (https://www.ehc.edu/academics/clinical-mental-health-counseling/program-info/. A student may be registered for a field placement course once they have met the designated requirements for practicum or internship that are listed in the field placement handbook. The department maintains the ultimate control over the registration for its courses. This ensures that only qualified individuals obtain certain professional credentials, and also ensures that all prerequisites for a course have been satisfied.

Additional Forms

Additional forms have been included at the end of this document to assist students with access and becoming familiar with department procedures.

Counselor education programs are mandated to monitor the development of counseling students. The primary source for this mandate is the American Counseling Association’s (ACA; 2014) ACA Code of Ethics. Section F.9.b of the ACA Code of Ethics states that counselor educators are to consistently monitor and address student deficiencies significant enough to impair their ability to provide counseling (ACA, 2014). Additionally, programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) must carry out comprehensive appraisals of student performance (CACREP, 2016). This program is designed to be accredited by CACREP. Faculty who identify a student who is experiencing academic and/or non-academic concerns may refer that student to the department’s Professional Development Committee (see Appendix A). The Professional Development Committee (PDC) consists of department faculty members and is designed to assist students who are experiencing academic and/or non- academic difficulties through the implementation of a professional development plan agreement (see Appendix B). Students are bound by this agreement, and failure to implement the agreement may result in dismissal from the program.

Students transferring into the MS are limited to 9 transfer credits. Credits transferred must be prior graduate work equivalent to current Emory & Henry College graduate courses, and may not be courses that were used to obtain any prior degree. In all cases, transfer of credits must be approved by the department.

Academic or Non-Academic Dismissal

A student shall become subject to dismissal for any of the following conditions:

• For failing to earn in three continuous semesters a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
• For serious professional/ethical misconduct.
• For failure to successfully implement the recommendations of the department’s Professional

Development Committee, or when implementing the recommendations of the department’s Professional Development Committee did not sufficiently resolve the original problem (see below).

The CMHC program has been carefully designed to prepare the students who graduate for specific professional settings. Therefore, the department members can only provide endorsements for professional positions and position levels appropriate to the respective programs completed. Thus, for example, the department cannot give a recommendation for an alcohol and drug counselor position to someone who did not have that concentration and did not complete a field experience consistent with this area of practice. The department faculty does not “automatically” provide verbal and/or written endorsements. If a student desires to have a department faculty member provide a verbal and/or written endorsement, a specific request must be made to the faculty member for a specific endorsement. In general, the department members are happy to provide both written and verbal endorsements for graduates as long as the requested endorsements are appropriate and sufficient response time is provided.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Department has implemented the requirement to use the Publications Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) 7 ^th Edition (2019) as the guide for all written assignments in the department. Students in the program should be familiar with this style guide prior to completing and handing in any papers for graduate courses. The APA manual may not be a required text for many of the graduate courses taken; however, students are expected to refer to it for guidance for all written assignments in Clinical Mental Health Counseling courses taken at Emory & Henry College.

The department requires students (at their expense) to obtain professional liability insurance prior to enrollment in any field placement course. Students can apply for Professional Liability Insurance through professional organizations (for example, as listed on the ACA web site at www.counseling.org. Fees for professional liability insurance obtained through professional organizations are in addition to the organization’s membership fees.

The National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC) is the national professional certifying agency for professional counselors at the national level. Professionals who obtain certification by the NBCC may refer to themselves as National Certified Counselors (NCCs). Graduation from our MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program satisfies the educational requirements for the NCC. In addition, the NBCC administers the National Counselor Examination (NCE) for Licensure and Certification as a requirement for eligibility for the NCC.

VA licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC) requires, in part, 60 hours of graduate coursework. These requirements are satisfied when students graduate from our MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Many states have licensure requirements that are similar to those in effect in Virginia, however students must ascertain their own needs if they are preparing to practice in other states. The department does not guarantee that our program meets education requirements for LPC or any other license/certification in any jurisdiction outside the state of Virginia.

Students are encouraged to join and participate in the activities of national, state and local professional counseling organizations. The department faculty members recognize that students’ financial resources are limited. Therefore, the department faculty does not require that you become a member of one or more professional organizations pertinent to your professional goals. However, the department does believe that membership in professional organizations is an important aspect of professionalism, and therefore strongly encourages you to join professional organizations if you are able to do so. Most professional organizations offer student rates, making the process more affordable for students.

National Level:

The American Counseling Association

The American Counseling Association is a not-for-profit, professional, and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. Founded in 1952, ACA is the world’s largest association exclusively representing professional counselors in various practice settings. The website for the American Counseling Association is www.counseling.org.

Other professional national counseling organizations:

American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT)
American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)
American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ARCA)
American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
American College Counseling Association (ACCA)
.National Employment Counselors Association (NECA)
International Association of Addiction and Offender Counselors (IAAOC)
Association for Counselors and Educators in Government (ACEG)
Counseling Association for Humanistic Education and Development (C-AHEAD)
Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling (AARC)
Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW)
Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD)
Association for Adult Development and Aging (AADA)
Association for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC)
Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)
National Career Development Association (NCDA)
International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC)
The Association for Addictions Professionals (NAADAC)

State-Level: Virginia Counseling Association

www.vcacounselors.org

State Licensing Board Websites

https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/counseling/

Professional Development Committee Policies and Procedures

1. Faculty/Course Director. Students may report academic/Professional Behavior (PB) concerns to a course faculty member (course instructor and/or course director) or a mentor/advisor (who then reports to the course instructor and/or course director). Additionally, a faculty member who becomes aware of unprofessional behavior must report the incident to the course director. At this level of referral, faculty can address the issue if outlined in their course syllabus and must document the alleged misconduct and any corrective action moving forward or refer the incident to Level 2. Student or faculty concerns are addressed by the course director. Students may appeal the faculty/Course Director Decision to Level 2- Program-Specific Committee. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the chair of the Program-specific Committee within 5 business days of the original decision.

2. Professional Development Committee (PDC). A faculty member who has become aware of concern(s) will meet with the student, if feasible, to discuss the concern(s) and attain a resolution. The faculty member will document the concern and any attempts at resolution. If deemed necessary, the faculty member (hereafter referred to as the referring faculty) will refer the student to Level 2, the CMHC Professional Development Committee (PDC). The referring faculty member will complete the PDC Referral Form and specify in writing the reasons for the referral, and will provide documentation of all methods utilized thus far to resolve the problem. The referral and any supporting written documentation will be submitted to the student, advisor, chair of the PDC and the department chairperson.

Note: Faculty will initiate the review process at any time for students who engage in illegal or unethical (as defined by the American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics) activities or for students whose professional performance is deemed to present an immediate threat to the well-being of others. In such cases and depending upon the level of perceived threat, the full counseling faculty may recommend immediate discontinuation from the program.

3. If the referral takes place at the time when a normal academic term is in session (Fall, Spring or Summer semester), within fourteen (14) calendar days of the receipt of the referral, the PDC chair will contact the student to set up an initial meeting. If the referral occurs during a time when normal academic term is not in session (break between semesters, spring recess, etc.), the student will be contacted by the end of the second week when an academic term is resumed. If the student does not respond within seven (7) calendar days of the receipt of the PDC’s contact to request a meeting, the PDC will send a follow-up request by sending an email, delivery receipt and read receipt requested as well as a letter to the student’s address via first class and certified mail, return receipt requested. If the student still does not respond within fourteen (14) calendar days of the student’s first receipt of the follow-up request (whether by email or mail), the College may place a hold on the student’s account. If a hold is placed on the student’s account, the student will not be permitted to register for courses, graduate or request a transcript. The student’s grades will also be withheld. The hold will remain in place until the student meets with the PDC.

4. Present at the initial meeting will be the members of the PDC and the student. The student may be assisted or supported at the hearing by an advisor who is a member of the College community. A member of the College community shall include any current member of the faculty (other than the referring faculty member(s), administration, or staff). Under no circumstances may the advisor be an attorney-at-law or parent. The student is responsible for presenting his or her own information, and therefore, advisors are not permitted to speak or to participate directly in the meeting but are only allowed to provide support and/or guidance to the student. NOTE: If a student fails to appear to the initial PDC meeting and fails to provide timely and sufficient documentation explaining the failure to appear, the student relinquishes his/her right to be heard before the PDC, and the PDC may develop a professional development plan that the student must sign, and it shall become binding even if the student refuses to do so. Alternately, the PDC may consider the student to be non-compliant with the referral and may act in accordance with #8 below.

5. During this initial PDC meeting, the PDC and the student will discuss an action plan. The PDC will then develop a professional development plan. This professional development plan will include, but not be limited to the following:

1. PDC expectations of the student and specific behaviors required
2. Tasks the student will engage in to facilitate his or her success (including timeframes)
3. Consequences for not successfully completing the expected tasks or engaging in the required behaviors, and
4. Signatures of the PDC members and the student. These signatures will confirm the PDC’s and the student’s understanding of the concerns, required actions, and their time frame, and consequences of their non-completion. Both the PDC and the student will retain copies of the signed professional development plan, and a copy will be forwarded to the student’s academic advisor and the department chairperson. If a student refuses to sign the professional development plan, or comply with the PDC’s recommendations, he or she may immediately be suspended from the program, either in whole or in part, as deemed necessary by the PDC and may be terminated from the program for non-compliance with the PDC’s recommendations.

Note: In some cases, a second meeting between the student and the PDC may be required to complete the professional development plan. If needed, this second meeting will be scheduled during the first meeting and its scheduled date/time will be documented and signed by the PDC members and the student.

6. The PDC will monitor the student’s progress in following through with the professional development plan. If the student does not comply with the professional development plan, or if new concerns develop, the PDC may consult the student’s advisor, the department chairperson and/or the full department faculty regarding the development of additional/alternative remedial strategies and/or evaluation of the student’s fitness for continuation in the program. The department chairperson, the student’s academic advisor, the PDC, and the student will all retain signed copies of any revision(s) made to the professional development plan as a result of consultation with the full counseling faculty.

7. The student will provide to the PDC appropriate documentation supporting successful completion of the required actions, at which time the PDC will review the received documentation and determine whether the professional development plan was successfully completed. This may require a meeting between the PDC and the student. In addition, the PDC may request interim meetings with the student to monitor the implementation of the professional development plan.

8. If a student does not show up for any scheduled meeting with the PDC, and fails to provide timely and sufficient documentation explaining the absence, the PDC may consider such failure to attend as evidence of non-compliance with the referral to the PDC and/or the terms of the professional development plan. At that time, the PDC may recommend to the chairperson to suspend the student’s progress in the program, which may include blocking the student from registering for future classes and withdrawing the student from current and future courses. If such a block and/or withdrawal from classes is implemented, the chairperson will notify the student in writing with copies to the student’s academic advisor and the PDC.

9. If the student wishes to appeal the required actions set forth in the professional development plan, the student may make a written appeal to the Graduate Healthcare Academic Standards Committee. The Graduate Healthcare Academic Standards Committee will review the actions of the department and ensure the written procedures of the professional development committee were followed.

Note: The Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling reserves the right to modify this process as appropriate and with notice to all students. Adapted from Burkholder, D. (2018). Professional Development Committee Procedures.

Professional Development Plan Agreement Emory & Henry College

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Student name:                                                            Date:

For you to continue your progress toward receiving your mental health counseling degree, the faculty is collectively requiring that you engage in the following behaviors that relate to the competencies addressed within our program’s student handbook.

Domain A: Professional Responsibility Behavior the student will demonstrate:

Domain B: Therapeutic Skills and Abilities Behavior the student will demonstrate:

To successfully engage in the aforementioned behaviors, the student will (including dates of expected completion):

I understand and agree to the conditions of this document. Any breach of this agreement constitutes grounds for being removed from the clinical mental health counseling program. I understand that I can appeal this plan prior to signing the agreement/plan. I understand and agree to all of the conditions of this document. If I do not follow through on completing all of the tasks outlined in this contract within the time stated on this document, I understand I will be terminated from the clinical mental health counseling program. I also understand the program’s professional development process and am clear that there are certain behaviors that, if violated, will supersede this agreement and may result in immediate removal from the program (e.g., ethics violations).

Date:                                 Student:

Date:                                  Professional Development Committee

Adapted from Kress & Protivnak (2009)

 

Professional Development Committee Referral Form

Student’s name:                                            Date:                                          Referring faculty member:

Please check all that apply below:

• The student is enrolled in one of my courses.

• The student is my advisee.

• I am the department chair/program director.

Please describe the behaviors you witnessed that lead you to make this referral.

 

 

Please describe the efforts you have made to resolve the problem, and the outcome of these efforts. Please attach all documentation of these efforts.

 

 

To discuss the problem, I previously contacted (check all that apply):

• student’s advisor
• department chair/program director
• neither

Please describe the outcome of this contact (or reasons for not contacting advisor/chair/director).

 

 

 

This referral is sent to:

Student (name) _______________________________

Student’s Advisor (name) _______________________________

Department Chair (name) ________________________________

Chair of the PDC (name) _________________________________

Academic Code and Procedures for Due Process

Emory & Henry College, as a community of persons “mutually united in a quest for truth,” supports the principles of academic freedom and academic due process for both students and faculty. Such rights imply a parallel responsibility for academic integrity. Students are expected to do their own work on individual assignments and to acknowledge the sources of information summarized or quoted in papers. Faculty should state course expectations clearly, evaluate work fairly and promptly, and deal honestly with intellectual positions. Failure to fulfill these responsibilities or to resolve disagreements about other academic matters impairs the effectiveness of the educational process.

The Academic Code of the college outlines specific rights and responsibilities of faculty and students in regard to academic matters. The code describes the procedures of informal resolution of academic grievances and of an official appeal to the Committee on Academic Standards.

I. Code of Academic Rights and Responsibilities

A. Students

1. Rights

a. Freedom of expression. Students are responsible for learning thoroughly the content of any course of study, but are free to take exception to the data or views presented and to reserve judgement about matters of option.

b. Fair evaluation of academic performance.

c. Confidentiality and access to personal records.

d. Due process for complaints against students.

2. Responsibilities

a. Seek clarification where course objectives and procedures are unclear.

b. Participate responsibly in the course through attendance and study.

c. Work independently on tests, quizzes, examinations, or any other assignments used in determining the final grade, except as indicated by the instructor.

d. State accurately intellectual positions which are used or related in course assignments, and give proper credit to sources of ideas which are not common knowledge or are not originated by the student, or wording that is not fully original with the student.

e. Receive permission from both instructors before developing a paper or project for more than one course. Receive permission from the current instructor before using a previously prepared paper or project.

B. Instructors

1. Rights

a. Academic freedom.

b. Fair evaluation of academic performance.

c. Due process for complaints against faculty.

2. Responsibilities

a. State basic course requirements and objectives.

b. State grade scale and procedures of evaluation.

c. Create a climate conducive to learning.

d. State accurately intellectual positions which are used or refuted in coursework, and give references to specific authors.

e. Evaluate objectively student work in a reasonable period of time so that the student may grow in understanding and ability.

f. Protect against improper disclosure of information about students. Information about student views, beliefs, and associations which is privately acquired by instructors, advisors, and counselors, should be considered confidential. Judgements of ability and character may be provided under appropriate circumstances, normally with the knowledge or consent of the student.

C. When a breach of the about rights and responsibilities is recognized by a member of the community, the following procedures should be implemented.

II. Informal Resolution Procedures

A. Whenever possible, individual instructors and students should seek to resolve the issues themselves.

If approach A fails, another appropriate person from the College community (e.g., faculty advisor, department chairperson) may be consulted to serve as an informal mediator.

B. If approaches A and B are unsuccessful, either student or an instructor may request mediation by the Dean of Faculty or his/her designee.

III. Formal Resolution Procedures

A. If informal resolutions fail, students may submit a request to the registrar for consideration before the Committee of Academic Standards, which will serve as a final review board. Students must submit appeals of grades of fall semester courses no later that January 3, and of spring semester by no later than May 15. Students must submit appeals of grades of Students choosing to use electronic communications are responsible for confirming that the request has been received. At least five days before a hearing, the chair of the Committee on Academic Standards will notify all parties, in writing, of the complaint and the time of the hearing.

B. The committee will seek information from appropriate persons. Each party will be permitted to provide names of such persons. The committee has the prerogative to determine a reasonable number of persons who may appear before the committee.

C. Voting will be by secret ballot with a majority vote so the full committee required for decisions. The chairperson will, in writing, inform the accused and the plaintiff of the committee’s decision and any possible appeals procedure.

D. The committee will keep in confidence minutes of all its proceedings. The committee may review these minutes in deciding appropriate resolutions.

E. Summer School and December Term: Students must submit appeals of grades of summer and winter term courses no later than 14 days after the grade submission deadline of the course being appealed.

1. If formal resolutions fail, any requests for formal resolutions will be presented to the Dean of Faculty or designee.
2. A hearing will take place no earlier than three academic days after the request by the Dean of Faculty or designee. At least three academic days before the hearing, all parties will be notified, in writing, of the charges and the time and place of the hearing.
3. The Dean of Faculty or designee will keep in confidence minutes of the appeals hearing and will submit these minutes to the Academic Standards Committee.
4. For all problems arising during the summer sessions, the Dean of Faculty or designee will serve as arbitrator. The accused or plaintiff may request that the hearing of the complaint be delayed until the resumption of the fall session when the normal procedures would be followed. This request by the accused or plaintiff must be made before the Dean of Faculty or designee has begun to hear the case. The Dean of Faculty or designees resolution of the charges by the Dean of faculty or designee consistent with the policies of this document will be final. 

F. Means of resolution will be chosen after review of records from previous hearings involving the accused and in light of the present circumstances. A means of resolution will be chosen from the list from Part IV below and will be communicated in writing by the chairperson of the Academic Standards Committee or the Dean of Faculty or designee to the accused and the plaintiff.

IV. Resolutions

A. Informal and Formal Resolutions of Complaints Against a Student

1. Dismissal of complaint
2. Private directive to student
3. Repetition of work
4. Repetition of the work and a lower grade
5. F on work
6. Withdrawal from the course
7. Finish the course
8. Suspension from the College
9. Dismissal from the College

B. Informal and Formal Resolution of a Complaint Against an Instructor

1. Dismissal of complaint
2. Private directive to instructor
3. Recommendation to Dean of Faculty
4. Recommendation that instructor’s actions be considered in determining rank and/or salary
5. Dismissal recommendation to the President and the Dean of Faculty

C. Involving Academic Freedom

Students who perceive that a faculty member is interfering with their academic freedom should attempt to meet with that faculty member to reach a resolution. If such resolution is not achieved, the student may ask for a meeting with the faculty member’s Department Chair (Division Chair - if the faculty member in question is the Department Chair and the Vice President for Academic Affairs - if the complaint is against a Division Chair) in an attempt to reach a resolution. If the meeting does not result in a resolution, then the student may ask for a meeting with the Vice President for Academic Affairs whose ruling can only be reviewed and overturned by the President. At this point, the student’s complaint against the faculty member should be provided in writing to that faculty member and the Vice President for Academic Affairs at least three working days prior to the meeting with the Vice-President of Academic Affairs. The Vise-President for Academic Affairs should have the right to meet with the faculty member against whom the complaint has been lodged and ask the faculty member to provide a written response within five working days to the charges brought by the student. If the Vice-President finds a breach in the student’s academic freedom has occurred he/she may address the violation using the relevant means described in the about paragraph. Whatever the finding, the Vice-President for Academic Affairs should provide his/her decision to the faculty member in writing within 15 working days of having met with the accused faculty member.

V. Amendment

Any proposed amendment will be submitted to the Committee on Academic Standards. After reviewing the proposal, the committee may submit it to the faculty and to the Student Government for consideration and recommendation. A majority vote by the faculty will adopt the amendment.