Esperanza College of Eastern University exists to provide Associates of Arts, Associates of Sciences, and Associates of Applied Sciences programs that are rooted in a unifying Christian worldview. The university views its mission as the pursuit of truth, the transmission of knowledge, and the development of students for a life of service to the church and to society. Foundational to a Christian academic community is both the freedom to teach and the freedom to learn. Both faculty and students should exercise these freedoms with responsibility. The freedom to learn depends on appropriate opportunities and conditions in the classroom, on the campus, and in the larger community. The responsibility to honor and respect conditions conducive to this freedom is shared by all members of the academic community. 

The purpose of this statement is to enumerate the essential provisions for students to learn.

1. Students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled, but they shall be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion.
2. Students shall have protection against prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation through the publication of clear course objectives and evaluation policies and methods.
3. The process of redress of grievances is:
   1. The student should first consult the faculty member involved.
   2. If the student remains unsatisfied, he/she may approach the Program Director, who will set up a hearing between the faculty member and the student.
   3. If still unsatisfied, the student may approach the Associate Dean of Academic and Student Success.
   4. If the problem remains, the student should consult the Executive Dean.

Student Records

Eastern University is in compliance with the Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and amendments.

The following offices maintain student records.

• Registrar’s Office - grades, GPA, graduation requirements, academic status, class standing, admission credentials, and other academic records
• Student Development Office - student’s evaluations, leadership and activities records, disciplinary related information, references, absence documentation, medical documentation.
• Admissions Office - prospective student files 
• Academic Advisors - academic and advising materials for advisees

Inspection Request

A student may, upon reasonable notice, request in writing to see any of the applicable files listed above. The signed, written request will be retained in the student’s file. Each office will designate a person to give the student a confirmation of his/her request and make an appointment with the student (within 45 class days) to review and explain the records.

Records Challenge

After reviewing the records, a student has the right to challenge the content and accuracy of the information. To challenge a record, the student should first make a written request to solve the problem. If no agreement is reached, a student may request a hearing of a committee convened by the Associate Dean for Academics and Student Success and composed of one student, one administrator and one faculty member. Within 30 working days after such a meeting, a decision will be rendered in writing to the student. If the decision is not to amend the record, the student has the right to include a written statement in the record

Sexual Assault Policy

As a Christian academic community, Esperanza College of Eastern University expects a sexual lifestyle that is consistent with biblical teaching. For our community, sexual intimacy is not acceptable apart from marriage. Sexual assault is a violation of Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, and the standards which Esperanza College of Eastern University expects of its students. Sexual assault is a crime that involves power as the motive, sex as the weapon, and aggression as the method. Anyone can become a victim of sexual assault regardless of age, gender, race, appearance, or economic status. A person has the right to say “no” at any stage of an encounter. However, a person does not have to say "no" for the attack to be considered a sexual assault. A person does not attract sexual assault by acting or dressing in a provocative manner. There is no evidence to support a link between physical attractiveness and sexual assault. 

Definitions

Sexual Assault is the commission of a sex offense. It is a more general term which includes but is not limited to rape and sexual abuse. If a person is unable to give consent, the behavior of the perpetrator is considered sexual assault.

Persons are considered unable to consent if: 

1. they are temporarily incapable of appraising their conduct due to 
   1. the influence of alcohol or drugs or 
   2. physical helplessness because they are unconscious or otherwise physically unable to communicate consent. 
2. they are impaired because they are suffering from a mental illness which renders them incapable of appraising the nature of their conduct; or 
3. they are under the age of 18. 

Having a sexual encounter with a person under such circumstances is considered sexual assault, even if the assailant is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Rape is forcing someone to have sexual intercourse, either vaginal, oral, or anal. The act may be perpetrated by a person who is either a stranger or an acquaintance of the victim. The force necessary can be any threat or physical force that places the victim in fear of anything, including but not limited to loss of job, lowered grades, injury, or death. The perpetrator does not need to use a weapon or to injure the victim in order or make the victim fearful. Date Rape, also known as "acquaintance rape," "social rape," or "silent rape," is rape by someone the person knows—friend, roommate, classmate, date, neighbor, professor, employer, co-worker, fiancé, lover or ex-lover, or casual acquaintance.  Sexual Abuse is forcing a person to engage in any sexual contact other than sexual intercourse. Sexual abuse means any touching of the sexual or intimate parts of another person, whether directly or through clothing, which is offensive to the victim and which could reasonably be understood as offensive. 

If you are sexually assaulted: 

1. Immediately tell a trusted friend, a dean, or CCAS counselor. You will need support throughout the process. 
2. Seek medical attention immediately. Call your doctor or go to the hospital emergency room for treatment of any injuries and for collection of evidence for legal prosecution, even if you are not sure that you want to prosecute. You can decide later to prosecute, but the exam cannot wait. 
3. Report the sexual assault to the police. They will inform you of your legal rights and help you collect evidence. You can decide whether or not to prosecute later. 
4. Make a written report of all the events that led up to the sexual assault, the sexual assault event, and your behavior after the sexual assault. Include dates, times, and witnesses. 
5. Seek counseling. The Deans, your academic advisor, or Office staff can help you contact the Eastern University Counseling Center. A counselor can give confidential support, help in decision-making, and help you to move through the emotional and psychological processes from victim to survivor. 
6. Report the sexual assault to any member of the Academic and Student Success Staff.  Although any member of the staff may be informed, that member will report the incident to the Deans.
   See below for the procedure. 
   Do not:
   1. clean up, wipe or wash with tissue, douche, bathe, shower, or change your clothes before you go to the hospital. 
   2. be afraid to tell others and report this crime to the police. 
   3. blame yourself. 

Sex Discrimination Policy

I. Statement of Policy

Eastern University is committed to complying with all State and Federal laws prohibiting discrimination, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulations, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex. 

II. Prohibited Acts

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 states: 

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or any activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Title IX, as it pertains to the Eastern University community, applies to but is not limited to, fair practices regarding: recruitment, admissions, housing, athletic, and extracurricular activities, rules and regulations, discipline, class enrollment, access to programs, courses, and internships, distribution of financial assistance, distribution of institutional resources, hiring practices, employment, promotion, and policies, among other things.