Grievance Process for Academic Matters

Aria does not discriminate on the basis of color, ethnicity, nationality, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran’s status in strict adherence to all applicable laws.

Aria seeks to promote an environment that is free of sexual misconduct, discrimination and retaliation. Sexual misconduct includes sexual violence, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence and gender-based harassment on campus or online. Throughout this policy, this prohibited conduct will be referred to generally as “misconduct.” The University seeks to educate students, faculty and staff about the issue of misconduct and to provide a clear path to resolution and correction of prohibited misconduct. The University reserves the right to respond with whatever measures it deems appropriate to prevent misconduct and preserve the safety and wellbeing of the University community.

The University is committed to compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Campus SaVE Act, and state and federal sexual discrimination laws. Title IX states “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” This Policy applies to all Aria community members, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, consultants, vendors, and others engaged in business with the University. Every community member is responsible for complying with all University policies and procedures.

The University’s prohibition of Misconduct includes conduct occurring on campus or off campus, including online and electronic communication or other conduct, when the University determines it has a substantial interest and when the conduct is deemed harmful to the educational mission of the University. This includes attendance at University-related events and the use of electronic devices or technology to record or transmit sexually explicit information or photos. University policies and procedures apply to conduct that takes place once a person becomes a student or employee of the University, including periods during academic breaks and between semesters/academic terms. This Policy applies to and protects visitors to the University. Visitors may file a Complaint for alleged violation(s) of University policies and procedures committed by members of the University community. University community members may be held accountable for the conduct of their guests.

How to file a complaint

Persons (Students, Faculty or Staff) who believe they are victims of Misconduct may file a complaint or seek assistance with local police and with the University Title IX Coordinator, Kartik Patel, info@aria.edu, 1-‭(844) 872-8680. Anonymous reports may also be made to San Francisco Women Against Rape Crisis Hotline* – 415-647-RAPE and the San Francisco District Attorney’s Victim/Witness Resources – 850 Bryant Street, Room 320,  San Francisco, CA 94103 – 415-553-9044

The procedures outlined here for review of allegations of misconduct are separate from any criminal process or investigation. Because the requirements and standards for finding a violation of criminal law are different from the standards for finding a violation of this Policy, criminal investigations, reports or verdicts may be different from outcomes under this Policy. The University may share information and coordinate investigation efforts with law enforcement when necessary or appropriate.

Review of Complaints

All Complaints will be reviewed to determine whether the Complaint involves a Policy violation and whether an investigation is appropriate under the circumstances. This review will be performed by the Title IX Coordinator, in consultation with the Provost’s office as appropriate, depending upon the persons implicated by the Complaint. Even if an investigation is not undertaken, the University may engage in protective measures or corrective action.

The University will ensure that Complainants and Respondents receive the same information, support and protections throughout the Complaint Review Process. Both the Complainant and Respondent will be treated with sensitivity and respect during the entire Complaint Review Process. The investigation will be prompt and thorough with prompt notification in writing of the results of the investigation. Information related to the Complaint Review Process will be shared only with those individuals with a demonstrated need to know. Sanctions may include Disciplinary Warning; Disciplinary Probation; Employment Discipline; Suspension, Reduction or loss of Compensation; Termination; Suspension from the University, or Dismissal from the University.

Appeal

The Complainant or Respondent must submit a written appeal request within ten (10) business days of receipt of communication of the decision. The appeal shall be submitted to the Title IX Coordinator and will be reviewed by the Academic Dean. If either the Complainant or Respondent submits an appeal request, the University will notify the other party of the appeal and the reason(s) cited. The non-appealing party may submit a written response within ten (10) business days of receiving Notice of the appeal.

The Honor Code *

The Honor Code at Aria calls upon each student to exhibit a high degree of maturity, responsibility, and personal integrity. Students are expected to:

• Act honestly in all matters;
• Actively encourage academic integrity;
• Discourage any form of cheating or dishonesty by others; and
• Inform the instructor and appropriate University administrator if a student has a reasonable and good faith belief and substantial evidence that a violation of the Honor Code has occurred.

Conduct in conflict with the Honor Code includes, but is not limited to:

Cheating: Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of an unauthorized or dishonest advantage to/from another. Cheating may be accomplished by any means whatsoever, including, but not limited to, the following: fraud, duress, deception, theft, talking, signs, and gestures. Attempted cheating is also considered cheating. Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to:

• Use of resources not authorized by the instructor for the completion of an assignment or exam.
• Copying graded assignments from another student or giving one’s work to be copied or used by another student for credit.
• Working together on an assignment when not specifically permitted by the instructor.
• Looking at another student’s paper during an examination, allowing a student to look at one’s paper, or giving answers to another during an examination.
• Looking at text or notes during an examination when not specifically permitted by the instructor.
• Doing homework, taking an exam, writing a paper, or doing any other coursework for another student or allowing another person to do it for you, when not specifically permitted by the instructor.
• Using any technological/communication tool not authorized by the instructor during an exam.
• Engaging in behavior specifically prohibited by an instructor during class discussions, in the course syllabus, or via other course specific communication means or tools.

Plagiarism: Presenting as one’s own, the work or the opinions of someone else without proper acknowledgement. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

• Failing to give credit for ideas, statements of facts, or conclusions derived by another author; failure to use quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it is a paragraph, a sentence, or part thereof; failure to cite properly the work of another person.
• Submitting an assignment purchased or obtained from a “research” or term paper service.
• Submitting an assignment, whole or in part, obtained from an internet or other unauthorized resource.
• Giving a speech or oral presentation written by another and claiming it as one’s own work.

Other Academic Dishonesty: Other forms of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to:
Planning with one or more students to commit any form of academic dishonesty.

• Lying to an instructor or providing any misrepresentation of information in order to receive any academic advantage or accommodation.
• Submitting papers or speeches for credit that are substantially the same in two or more classes without prior written approval of the instructors involved.
• Removing tests from the classroom without approval of the instructor, or misappropriating any portion of a test, either physically or electronically.
• Altering answers on a scored test or any graded work and submitting it for a higher grade without explicitly articulating the alterations made.

* Several sections of this policy document were adopted directly from the University of Pacific’s policy. Aria has obtained permission from the University of Pacific to use some of their policy documents as is until Aria specific policies are developed. Aria hereby thanks the University of Pacific for their exemplary generosity.

Mission and Principle Policies Diversity Statement

Aria does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sex/gender, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression or mental or physical disability.

The Aria is committed to diversity and inclusion in its admissions, coursework, campus climate, and hiring and retention of faculty and staff. We believe that an open and respectful community facilitates opportunities for shared understanding and the education of competent, creative, and ethical citizens able to interact and lead in an increasingly multicultural global society.

Governance and Administration Conflict of Interest Policy

The Board of Aria recognizes that a board member is required to comply with applicable provisions of California law regarding conflicts of interest, including Title 18, Article 8, Section 308; Title 18, Article 8, Section 402; and Title 24, Article 18, Section 108.5, California Revised Statutes. To further enhance the credibility and accountability of the Board, the Board has adopted the following additional conflict of interest policies.

Conflict of Interest Policy*

Consistent with a Board’s fiduciary responsibility, a Board member (“Member”) is expected to serve the public trust and to exercise his or her powers and duties in the interest of the public, the University, and the Board and not in the Member’s own interest or in the interest of another person or entity. A Member shall exercise care that their independent judgment in the discharge of responsibilities is not impaired as a result of conflicts between the interests of the University and the Member’s own financial interest or personal interest, or the financial interests or personal interests of the members of the Member’s family. In the event that a Member believes that he or she has a conflict of interest, the Member shall disclose the conflict to the Board and shall refrain from participating in the matter to which the conflict relates.

A Member shall not use confidential information acquired in the course of the performance of his or her responsibilities to further his or her own financial interest or personal interest, or the financial interests or personal interests of the members of the Member’s family or associates.
For the purpose of the application of this policy, “financial interest” means a substantial interest held by an individual which is:

an ownership interest in a business;
a creditor interest in an insolvent business;
an employment or prospective employment for which negotiations have begun;
an ownership interest in real or personal property;
a loan or other debtor interest; or
a directorship or officership in a business; or
a personal and material economic interest in a transaction.

The “family” of a Member includes his or her spouse, dependents, and, if living in the same household and sharing expenses, other individuals. An “associate” of a Member includes a person, entity, or enterprise with respect to which the Member is a (i) is a director, officer, employee, member, partner, or trustee; or (ii) has a financial interest that represents 5% or more of his or her assets or any interest that enables him or her to exercise control or to influence policy significantly; or (iii) any other material association

Prohibited Transactions

Aria shall not have any business relationship with any company, corporation, partnership or other entity or venture in which a member of the Board serves, directly or indirectly, in an executive or policy-making position.

* Please note that several sections of this policy document were adopted directly from the University of Pacific’s policy. Ariahas obtained permission from the University of Pacific to use some of their policy documents as is until Aria specific policies are developed. Aria hereby thanks the University of Pacific for their exemplary generosity.

Student Hand Book

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