Policies

 Policies

Drug-free Workplace Policy
SHMS is a drug-free workplace. Any student or employee of the seminary with questions or problems with a dependency on alcohol or any other legal or controlled substance is encouraged to contact the designated authorities, the names of whom are published each year, for confidential assistance and/or referral to a treatment or counseling program.

Equal Education Opportunity
SHMS guarantees the right to equal educational opportunity without discrimination because of race, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability. SHMS prohibits all forms of illegal harassment. All persons at SHMS are expected to abide by these policies.

Grievance Procedures
SHMS is attentive to the concerns raised by students. A student wishing to make a formal complaint about any aspect of the institution should file a written statement with the Dean of Studies. Such a statement should include a reference to some standard that SHMS is pledged to uphold and that has been allegedly violated as well as details about the alleged violation.

These standards can be found in the documentation of The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools of the United States and Canada, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Certification and Accreditation, the Program of Priestly Formation, or published documents of SHMS. A student needing assistance in locating references should contact the Dean of Studies. The Dean will assist the student in following a proper process of redress, as outlined in the institution's handbook and manuals. If the complaint involves the office of the Dean of Studies, the student may address the office of the President/Rector instead.

The Academic Appeals Process is stated in the Academic Information section.

Policy Prohibiting Harassment
Sacred Heart Major Seminary does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, unrelated physical or mental handicaps, or veteran status in violation of applicable law (see NCA, Statement on Access, Equity, and Diversity, 1991) “insofar as such practices do not conflict with doctrine or ecclesiastical polity” (ATS, Standards 24).

Respect for the dignity and worth of each individual is a basic tenet of Sacred Heart Major Seminary. It is the policy of the seminary to make every effort to provide an educational environment, as well as a work environment free from all forms of discriminatory practices, including sexual and other forms of illegal harassment. Such harassment will not be tolerated by the seminary.

This policy applies to the actions of all faculty, staff, students, visitors, and others who may provide services or do business with the seminary. All individuals who have contact with the seminary will be held to standards of conduct that ensure that the seminary is free from illegal harassment.

“Sexual harassment” refers to any unwelcome sexual attention, sexual advances, request for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature
when:

submission to or rejection of such conduct or communication is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition
of the individual’s work or academic relationship with the seminary; or

submission to or rejection of such conduct or communication is used as the basis for decisions affecting such individual’s work or academic relationship with the seminary; or 

such conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with such individual’s work or academic or work performance or has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating hostile or offensive work or academic environment.

Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, threatening adverse action if sexual favors are not granted; promising preferential treatment in return for sexual favors; unwelcome sexual advances; unnecessary physical contact; offensive remarks, including unwelcome comments about appearance; obscene jokes or other inappropriate use of sexually explicit or offensive language and the display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures.

“Other forms of harassment” refers to any verbal or physical conduct or communication that shows hostility or aversion toward another because of his/her race, gender, national origin, or other legally protected status when such conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of:

unreasonably interfering with or adversely affecting the individual’s work or academic performance; or

creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or academic environment.

Examples of such harassment include, but are not limited to, epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping or threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts that relate to race, gender, national origin, etc., and written material that is posted
or displayed at the seminary that shows hostility or aversion toward another because of race, gender, national origin, etc.

Harassment may also include conduct or communication by visitors, vendors, or others who do business with the seminary when such conduct or communication is condoned by the seminary.

Any individual who feels that he or she has been subject to harassment should immediately notify the Title IX Officer. The seminary will investigate all reports of harassment in as prompt and confidential a manner as possible and take appropriate corrective action when warranted.

Any individual who is determined to have engaged in harassment in violation of this policy will be subject to appropriate corrective action, up to and including termination of employment or work relationship with the seminary or exclusion from attending school at the seminary.

Retaliation, in any form, against an individual who makes a report or who cooperates in an investigation of alleged harassment under this policy is also prohibited. Any individual who is determined to have retaliated against another will be subject to appropriate corrective action, up to and including termination of employment or work relationship with the seminary or exclusion from attending school at the seminary.

The Rector/President appoints a faculty member as Title IX Officer of SHMS.

Smoke-free Building
The public areas of the building will be "non-smoking" except for the areas that are designated for smoking. This would include in the "main quad" areas (not the residence halls) all hallways, classrooms, meeting rooms, and bathrooms on the ground and first floors. The gymnasium and attached hallway along with the auditorium and its attached hallway would also be smoke-free. The Archdiocesan Development Offices, Vocations Office, and adjoining hallways and bathrooms will be smoke-free as well. The dining room, libraries, and the hospitality area outside the Cardinal Szoka Library are also smoke-free areas.

This policy will also extend to any construction workers working in the building, visitors to the building, event attendees, etc.

The current commuter lounge is a nonsmoking area.

Room 115 is designated as the smoking lounge.

Standards of Conduct
SHMS prohibits the unlawful possession, use, storage, sale or distribution of drugs and alcoholic beverages by students and employees on campus. In addition, the use of tobacco products in all public areas of the building, unless otherwise designated and posted, is strictly prohibited.

Students or employees of SHMS violating the above standards of conduct concerning use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages and drugs will be subject to disciplinary and/or legal action, consistent with local, state and federal law. Disciplinary action by the faculty and/or the administration may consist of payment of fines, verbal reprimand, restitution of damage, restriction of privileges, disciplinary probation, completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program, suspension, dismissal and/or notation on the student's or employee's record of dismissal or suspension, dependent on the nature and severity of the violation.

Student Handbooks
Policies are also articulated in the student handbooks. Handbooks can be picked up in the IFM office for all commuter students and the Vice Rector/Dean of Seminarian Formation office for all residents.

Students Requiring Special Accommodation Due to a Disability
The Student Learning Center provides services and resources to students with disabilities. Students who may require accommodation to assist them in participating in a class, program, or activity because of a disability should contact the Director of the Student Learning Center at (313) 883-8768. The Director of the Student Learning Center will coordinate efforts to formulate an appropriate, effective accommodation program for the student.

Disability includes physical and mental impairments and specified learning disabilities. Students seeking accommodation may be required to provide medical documentation regarding their limitations and their need for accommodation. Medical records regarding disability will be kept confidential. Such information may be considered for formation purposes, consistent with the guidelines of confidentiality for formation.

Weapons
No unauthorized person is permitted to carry on his or her person, in a briefcase or handbag or any other container or in any other way have possession of any weapon (i.e. firearm, explosive, or any other instrument capable of doing serious bodily harm) on the premises of Sacred Heart Major Seminary.

Weather Closing
Class cancellations due to inclement weather are communicated on local radio and television broadcasts. Students can also call the SHMS weather hotline at (313) 883-8780 to inquire about class cancellations or seminary closings.