Affiliation and Accreditation
Wayland Baptist University is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Wayland Baptist University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call (404) 679-4500 in order to (1) learn about the accreditation status of the institution, (2) file a third-party comment at the time of the institution’s decennial review, or (3) file a complaint against the institution for alleged non-compliance with a standard or requirement. Normal inquiries about the institution, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to the institution and not to the Commission’s office. The university is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The university is also accredited by the Texas Education Agency for teacher certification and for veterans training, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc., and the Texas Board of Nursing.
Equal Educational Opportunity
In compliance with federal law, including provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Wayland Baptist University does not illegally discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or genetic information. Under federal law, the university may discriminate on the basis of religion in order to fulfill its mission and purposes. In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the university does not illegally discriminate on the basis of sex in the administration of its educational policies, programs, and activities. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to the executive vice president/provost.
Services for Students with a Disability
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), it is the policy of Wayland Baptist University that no otherwise qualified person with a disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity in the university. The Coordinator of Counseling Services serves as the coordinator of students with a disability and should be contacted concerning accommodation requests at (806) 291- 3765. Documentation of a disability must accompany any request for accommodations.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Wayland Baptist University complies fully with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), see undergraduate policy or graduate policy sections of the catalog. The purpose of this legislation is to protect the privacy of educational records and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. Institutional policy explains in detail the provisions of the Act. Copies of the policy may be obtained from the registrar, basement, Gates Hall, Plainview, Texas. Questions concerning the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act may be referred to the Office of the Registrar.
Purpose of the University Catalog
The provisions of this catalog do not constitute a contract, express or implied, between any applicant, student, or faculty member, and Wayland Baptist University. Rather, they are intended for information only. Since the programs, policies, statements, fees, and/or courses contained herein are subject to annual review and evaluation, the university reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice.
Graduation Under a Particular Catalog
Candidates for certificate or degree may choose to graduate in accordance with the requirements of the catalog in effect at the time they matriculate (defined as enrollment continued after census date), or those of any subsequent catalog edition provided that degree requirements are completed within six years of the ending date of the catalog selected. Degree requirements must be from one catalog. The catalog is in effect from August 1 of the publication year through July 31 of the next calendar year.
Student Right-to-Know Act
Wayland Baptist University complies fully with the Student Right-to-Know Act, which requires institutions to disclose completion or graduation of full-time, first time, degree-seeking undergraduate students to current and prospective students. These rates are available online at http://www.wbu.edu/about_wayland/disclosures/documents/GraduationRates.pdf
Hazing
The university prohibits hazing. The state of Texas has also made hazing illegal at educational institutions covered by the law. Under the university’s policy and the statute, hazing includes any intentional or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus, that endangers the mental and physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization, club or group. Hazing also includes any type of brutality, any activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement, calisthenics, consumption of food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, drug or other substance, any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, mental stress, shame or humiliation, or that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk or harm, or that adversely affects the dignity, or mental or physical health or safety of the student, or discourages the student from remaining at the university or from participating as a member of the organization, and any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to violate any law. Hazing under the university’s policy also includes any activity which results in a student violating university regulations.
One commits hazing by directly engaging in the activity or by encouraging or aiding it. One is also guilty of violating both the policy and the law if one has first-hand knowledge of hazing and fails to report that knowledge in writing to the dean of students. The university requires such reporting to occur within twenty-four hours. Depending upon the circumstances, individuals who violate the state’s hazing law are guilty of a Class A or B misdemeanor.
An organization commits the offense of hazing if the organization condones or encourages hazing, or if an officer or any combination of members, pledges, or alumni of the organization commits or assists in hazing. If the offense results in personal injury, property damage, or other loss, hazing is punishable under the law by a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than double the amount lost or expenses incurred because of the hazing. It is not a defense to hazing, either in court or in the university’s disciplinary process, to show that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing.
The university will initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student suspected of hazing, and upon being found guilty, the student will be subject to sanctions up to and including expulsion. If the university concludes that a student organization has violated the university’s hazing policy, the university will subject the organization to penalties, up to and including the loss of university recognition. No organization has been disciplined for hazing or convicted for hazing on or off the campus during the preceding three years.
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