Brentwood's Policies

Brentwood University was founded with the goal of sustaining innovative and flexible, educational challenges and to do so via a student-centered academic environment. The student’s mastery of required coursework leads to the award of a degree, and also leads to the enrichment of students who aspire the positions of leadership, entrepreneurship, corporate governance, and service to others.

Academic Policies

Academic Honesty

Brentwood University takes academic honesty very seriously. Students are expected to always submit original work, and outside sources should be appropriately credited whenever used. Works that require citation include, but are not limited to, hard copy or electronic publications (copyrighted or not), communication (verbal or otherwise) originating from identifiable sources. Academic dishonesty occurs when: students use words or ideas that are not their original work in assignments, citations are not included for all used outside sources, work is recycled from another course taken by the same student (unless agreed with the instructor in advance), documents, such as transcripts or diplomas are forged, etc.

Plagiarism Reduction Policy

Faculty members are trained and encouraged to try and prevent plagiarism in their classes. Some steps in that direction are for a faculty member to make it very clear, through announcements or assignment instructions, what constitutes plagiarism (as well as the potential consequences), and how assignments and citations should be formatted. Both students and faculty members are encouraged to check assignments through the use of plagiarism checker software. Instances of plagiarism are addressed immediately.

Academic Honesty Procedure

When a faculty member determines that academic dishonesty in an assignment has occurred, the faculty member can address the issue directly with the student by considering one of the following options: educating the student on plagiarism (whenever it is unintentional or due to deficiency in understanding of what plagiarism is), allowing a student to resubmit the assignment, or taking steps to report the offence using the procedure outlined below along with a disciplinary action such as issuing a Failing grade on the assignment, reducing the final grade, or issuing a Failing grade for the course.

  1. If the instructor and student cannot resolve the plagiarism issue, the instructor should submit an academic dishonesty complaint form to the University academic authorities, with copy sent to the student. The student will have an opportunity to respond to the allegation.
  2. The University academic authorities will assign an Academic Honesty Committee, which would review the forms and communications and will determine an appropriate action to address the issue. Some of the possible outcomes include student removal from class, loss of semester credit, documented counseling, or in extreme cases, expulsion from the university. The University President is informed of all reported instances and the actions taken to address them.

Academic Freedom Policy

Brentwood University is committed to assuring full academic freedom to faculty members. Confident in the qualifications and expertise of its faculty members, the college encourages its faculty members to exercise their individual judgments regarding the content of the assigned courses, organization of topics and instructional methods, providing only that these judgments are made within the context of the course descriptions as currently published, and providing that the instructional methods are those official sanctioned by the institution, methods for which the institution has received oversight approval. Brentwood University encourages instructors and students to engage in discussion and dialog. Students and faculty members alike are encouraged to freely express views, however controversial, as long as they believe it would advance understanding in their specialized discipline or sub-disciplines.

University's Policies

Course Repeat Policy

Students may repeat a course no more than three times. The cost of repeating a course equals the respective tuition rate for the course. When a student repeats a course, the lower grade will be replaced with the higher grade in the academic records, but with a notation that the course has been repeated. Only the higher grade and semester credit will be used in calculating the cumulative GPA. Semester credit is only given once for a course, except in cases where indicated in the course description.

Credit Transfer Policy

Students may transfer credits from comparable coursework completed at an accredited institution. Requests for credit transfer are evaluated based on their individual merit by the university academic authorities. Coursework must have been completed with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (“B”) to be considered for transfer. Students are responsible for providing all information necessary for the validation of the credit claimed. For example, students will be required to furnish the academic catalog and/or the course outline from the institution awarding the credit.

Brentwood University may offer experiential credit.

Notice Concerning Transferability of Credits and Credentials Earned at Our Institution

The transferability of credits you earn at Brentwood University is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance of the degree you earn in the educational program is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer. If the credits or degree that you earn at this institution are not accepted at the institution to which you seek to transfer, you may be required to repeat some or all of your coursework at that institution. For this reason, you should make certain that your attendance at this institution will meet your educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending Brentwood University to determine if your credits or degree will transfer.

Incomplete Policy

A student may request an Incomplete (grade of I) status by submitting an incomplete form, signed and agreed to between the student and the course instructor. Approval of Incomplete status is at the discretion of the instructor. Students have 4 weeks to complete all course work after being assigned a grade of I. Failure to complete all course work will result in the student earning the grade based on the coursework completed.

Add/Drop Policy

A student may drop a course and add another course during the first week of class through the use of an Add/Drop form. Requests are to be sent to the attention of the university academic authorities. Each request will be reviewed by the academic authorities on an individual basis and a final decision is made based on the student’s academic record. Courses dropped through this process will not have a record in the student’s academic transcript. Students who wish to drop a course without adding a new course to their program, should consider the Withdrawal procedures.

Administrative Withdrawal

A student withdrawal initiated by Brentwood University is called Administrative Withdrawal. The institution may initiate Administrative Withdrawal at its discretion in cases when a student fails to complete the registration process or fails to attend or participate in class, or in cases of academic dishonesty. Whenever Administrative Withdrawal is initiated by Brentwood University, a notification is sent to the student, who will then have the option to dispute this action by sending a written response to the university academic authorities who makes a final determination.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to participate and actively contribute to class assignments (including discussions), demonstrating knowledge of the concepts and theories studied, and the ability to apply that knowledge when analyzing current events, assigned case studies, or real business questions from their own organizations and communities.

This institution’s policy on attendance is based on the premise that regular communication between the teacher and the student and, also, among students themselves, has significant value in the learning process. To assure this timely communication, your instructor will respond to each of your assignment submissions or exam submissions within 7 days. To further assure this timely communication, students must respond to each of your instructor’s inquiries within 7 days as well.

A student is enrolled in a course, must demonstrate regular and substantive interaction with the instructor. Regular and substantive interaction is defined as completing one of the following academically related activities once a week in order to be marked as having attended and actively participating:

  1. Post to the course discussion board substantive comments relevant to the subject.
  2. Substantive exchanges with the instructor about course content, concepts, and assignments.
  3. Submit a graded unit assignment or exercise.
  4. Attempt a pre-final exam or final exam.
  5. Submit a final project.

Assignments should be completed timely and within the posted deadlines. Limited extensions of time may only be granted for unexpected business, health, or personal emergencies, whenever those are communicated in advance of missing a due date. Emergencies require a written proof.  In the rare occurrence of a technical issue preventing students from submitting assignments on time, the late penalty will not be applied, provided the technical issue is university-wide and outside of the control of individual students.

Grievance Policy

Brentwood University is responsible to uphold its students’ rights and ensure that the university’s non-discrimination policy is applied for students who choose to file a grievance against the institution for reasons involving discrimination, harassment, violation of a university policy, or other.

Students must use the following procedure to file a grievance:  [email protected]

  1. Students should first attempt to address the issue with the responsible party in writing. A copy of the communication shall be preserved in the course messaging system.
  2. If a satisfactory solution cannot be found, the student may submit a grievance form to the University academic authorities within 21 calendar days of the alleged incident. The grievance form is available upon request from the university academic authorities.
  3. The University academic authorities shall issue a decision within 2 weeks of the grievance submission.
  4. The student may appeal the decision to the Brentwood University President within 2 weeks of receiving the committee’s decision, and a final decision will be made by the President within 2 weeks of the student appeal.

Harassment or Discrimination Policy

Brentwood University takes allegations of harassment on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability or sexual orientation very seriously. EAS strives to be free of all improper or unlawful harassment.

Conduct on the part of faculty, staff or students, which violates this policy includes but is not limited to:

  1. Unwelcome or unwanted sexual advances or requests for sexual favors, or insinuations that a grade or other academic achievement is dependent upon the granting of sexual favors.
  2. Unwelcome physical contact, including patting, pinching, hugging, kissing, fondling, etc.
  3. Offensive conduct, verbal or written, including sexually explicit jokes, comments, innuendo or other tasteless actions that would offend a reasonably sensitive person
  4. The display of sexually offensive pictures, posters, illustrations or objects
  5. Slurs, jokes, or ridicule based on race, ethnic or national origin, religion, gender or disability.

Individuals who have questions or who experience harassment should immediately report the offence to the university admission authorities.

Conduct Policy

Brentwood University will communicate directly with students whose conduct was deemed to warrant disciplinary action. Students may respond to the allegations by following the procedures listed under the Grievance Policy.

Non Academic Disciplinary Action

Violations of the Harassment or Discrimination Policy of this institution will become part of the student’s record. Depending on the severity and/or frequency of the violation(s), the Faculty may take disciplinary action, including administrative withdrawal from the University. A student who has become subject to disciplinary action may submit an appeal to the University academic authorities per the University’s Grievances policy.

Leave of Absence Policy

A student may request a Leave of Absence (LOA), whenever it is necessary to take an academic leave due to individual circumstances. A student seeking a LOA shall submit a request to the university academic authorities (please, email your request to [email protected] ). The LOA allows a student to skip one course at a time, depending on the program. Students may take up to 2 LOA per year.

A student may not begin a Leave of Absence while an active course is in progress -a withdrawal procedure must be initiated by the student, instead. A LOA can begin upon the completion of the active course term.

Maintenance and Confidentiality of Student Records

Student records for all students are kept for five years. Transcripts and diplomas are kept permanently. Examples of education records include, but are not limited to: Transcripts, Degree Audit Reports, Schedules of Classes, Class Rolls, Academic History Reports, Grade Rolls, etc. The following items are NOT education records, as defined by FERPA: sole possession records (records kept in the sole possession of the maker, used as a personal memory aid and not revealed to others), law enforcement records, employment records, medical records, post-attendance records, psychological or mental health records. Students may inspect and review their educational records. To do so, a student should submit a written request identifying the specific information to be reviewed. Should a student find, upon review, that records that are inaccurate or misleading, the student may request that errors be corrected. In the event that a difference of opinion exists regarding the existence of errors, a student may ask that a meeting be held to resolve the matter. Each student’s file will contain student’s records, including a transcript of grades earned. The first copy of the official transcript is provided at no charge. Subsequent copies are available upon advance payment of the transcript fee of $25.00 for two copies. Transcripts will only be released to the student upon receipt of a written request bearing the student’s live signature. No transcript will be issued until all tuition and other fees due the institution are paid current.

Students who wish to inspect their education record, can do so by submitting a request to Academic Affairs office in writing – all requests will be honored within 15 business days of request.

Facility

The school utilizes a Learning Management system (LMS), powerful, easy to use cloud-based platform for the delivery of its online educational programs.

Technology Requirements

For students, the following system configuration and software are recommended:

  1. Platforms: Mac OS X 10.2 or higher or Windows XP or higher.
  2. Hardware: 256 Mb RAM, CD-ROM, and 1 Gb free disk space.
  3. Productivity Software: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel 2003 or higher; Adobe Reader 8.0 or higher.
  4. Web Browser: Firefox 3.0 or higher, Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher, Safari 4.0 or higher, or Chrome.
  5. Networking: 56k dialup modem, DSL, or Cable modem.
  6. Email: Outlook, Outlook Express, Mac Mail, Eudora, Entourage, or Yahoo/Hotmail/Gmail.
  7. The following are recommended for optimal performance
  8. Productivity Software: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel 2007 or higher.
  9. Networking: Broadband Internet connection (DSL, cable, or other).

Competencies

Students must have the following competencies:

 

  1. Ability to access course and program material on the Internet.
  2. Ability to correspond with University staff, faculty, and students through email and the Internet.

Required Disclosures

  1. The policy of this institution is to update the official school catalog annually, in January of each year.
  2. Annual updates may be made by the use of supplements or inserts accompanying the catalog. If changes in educational programs, educational services, procedures, or policies required to be included in the catalog by statute or regulation are implemented before the issuance of the annually updated catalog, those changes shall be reflected at the time they are made in supplements or inserts accompanying the catalog.
  3. This institution makes its current catalog and current program brochures available to the public at no charge. Individuals who wish to obtain a copy can make arrangements by simply calling the school’s office or by accessing the institution’s website at Brentwood.University
  4. This institution has not had a pending petition in bankruptcy, is not operating as a debtor in possession and has not filed a bankruptcy petition within the preceding five years nor has had a petition in bankruptcy filed against it within the preceding five years that resulted in reorganization under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
  5. If a student obtains a loan to pay for an educational program, the student will have the responsibility to repay the full amount of the loan plus interest, less the amount of any refund, and that, if the student has received federal student financial aid funds, the student is entitled to a refund of the money not paid from federal student financial aid program funds.
  6. Brentwood University has no responsibility to find or assist a student in funding housing. This institution does not operate dormitories or other housing facilities. This institution does not provide assistance nor does it have any responsibility to assist students in finding housing. Housing in the immediate area is available in two story walkup and garden apartments. Monthly rent for a one bedroom unit is approximately $1,200 a month. (apartmentguide.com)
  7. None of the educational services offered lead to occupations that require licensure.