Seminary Policies

The relationships and conduct of students, faculty and staff at Hartford Seminary are expected to be consistent with the purpose and mission of Hartford Seminary as stated in the Catalogue and in keeping with local, state and federal law. On rare occasions, questions may arise about whether certain conduct of an individual or individuals is compatible with the nature and purpose of the Seminary. The policies and procedures in the Official Policies section of the Catalogue and the Student Handbook have been developed to specifically address such issues or situations should they arise.

It is the responsibility of all students to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the purpose and mission of the Seminary as stated in the Catalogue or Student Handbook. It is the right of all students to address any concern, issue or grievance informally as well as formally in keeping with the appropriate policies and procedures for any given issue or situation as stated in the Catalogue or Student Handbook. Students may also consult directly with the Dean of the Seminary for assistance or guidance regarding any issue that may arise.

Crime Awareness and Campus Security

The Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 is legislation that “requires all institutions to annually publish and distribute a security report containing campus security policies and procedures as well as campus crime statistics.” Please see the Student Handbook for the full report.

Drug Free School/Workplace Policy

Hartford Seminary is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and the amended Drug-Free Schools and Communities legislation and wholeheartedly endorses national standards for prevention programs. Hartford Seminary joins with other institutions of higher education to eliminate substance abuse. The unlawful manufacture, possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and unauthorized alcohol by students and employees on its property or at any Seminary-sponsored activity, function or event is strictly prohibited. Although the conditions of alcohol and drug dependency may be considered disabilities or handicaps under state and federal law and these groups will not be discriminated against because they have these disabilities, all are considered to be responsible for their actions and their conduct.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Hartford Seminary works to conform to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Please refer to the full policy in the Student Handbook.

Guidelines for Research Conducted by Persons Affiliated with Hartford Seminary

It is expected that all persons who conduct research under the auspices of Hartford Seminary will treat everyone involved in the research with respect and care. Please see the full text of our guidelines in the Student Handbook.

Inclusive Language

Hartford Seminary is committed to a policy of inclusion in its academic life and mission. All members of the community are expected to communicate in language that reflects the equality of genders, openness to diverse cultural and theological perspectives, and sensitivity to one another’s images of God.

Non-Discrimination Policy and Equal Opportunity Statement

Hartford Seminary subscribes to the principles and laws of the State of Connecticut and the federal government pertaining to civil rights and equal opportunity, including Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments. Hartford Seminary policy prohibits discrimination against any individual on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, religious creed, color, age, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, marital status, present or past history of mental disorder, mental retardation, learning disability or physical disability including, but not limited to, blindness or veteranstatus, or any other reason prohibited by an applicable law or regulation in the employment of faculty, staff and students; in the recruitment and admission of students; and in the operation of all Seminary programs, activities and services. Students with disabilities are eligible for disability support services when they are enrolled in courses for graduate credit or in certificate program courses required for the completion of the program certificate. Additionally, the Seminary will not condone acts of violence or harassment reflecting bias or intolerance of any of the above mentioned classes. Evidence of practices, which are inconsistent with this policy, should be reported to the Office of the Dean.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism, the failure to give proper credit for the words and ideas of another person, whether published or unpublished is strictly prohibited. Please see the full Plagiarism policy in the Academic Policies for Graduate Programs section of this Catalogue or in the Student Handbook.

Sexual Harassment Policy

Hartford Seminary observes the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (E.E.O.C.) Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Guidelines and strives to create a fair, humane and respectful environment. Details of the Sexual Harassment Policy are provided in the Student Handbook.

Smoking Policy

Hartford Seminary is a smoke-free environment. All Hartford Seminary academic buildings (74-76 Sherman, 77 Sherman, 60 Lorraine and 80 Sherman) are designated as non-smoking. Those choosing to smoke must do so outside.

Student Discipline Policy and Procedure

It is the policy of Hartford Seminary to conduct an impartial investigation of the facts, an impartial hearing and review of those facts and to make recommendations as to what action should be taken with regard to any issue concerning student conduct brought to the attention of the Dean in writing. Details of the Student Discipline Policy and Procedure are provided in the Student Handbook.

Student Grievance Policy and Procedure

It is the intention of this policy to encourage and facilitate resolution of a grievance that a student may have with a faculty member, supervisor, administrator, member of the staff, or another student. The desire is to resolve the grievance in the early stages of the procedure. However, the procedure does provide for full mediation in a fair, equitable and timely manner.

Proced​ure:

A student who believes he or she has a legitimate grievance should meet promptly with the person immediately involved (i.e. the faculty member, administrator, supervisor or member of the staff with whom the student has an issue.) (Should the student not be comfortable with initiating such a meeting on her or his own, the Academic Dean is available, on a strictly confidential basis, to assist the student.) The procedure is concluded if an acceptable solution is reached between the student and the other party. Should either person wish written documentation of the resolution, the two parties shall write such and each person will sign, date and retain a copy.

If the grievance is not resolved, the student may pursue the matter as follows:

Within seven (7) days of the meeting, the student should send a written statement to the Academic Dean clearly stating:

• the nature of the complaint
• the steps already taken

As soon as possible after receipt of the written statement, normally within ten (10) working days, the Academic Dean will:

• Meet with each party separately.
• Meet with the parties together to attempt to resolve the grievance.

If the grievance is resolved, provide a written summary of the resolution within seven (7) working days (of the meeting with both parties together), which each party will sign. Copies will be retained in the Academic Dean’s Office.

If the grievance is not resolved through the steps above, the student may make a written request, within seven (7) working days, to the Chair of the Academic Policy Committee (APC.)

The Chair will convene a meeting to hear and resolve the grievance. The committee may request that additional persons be present for the hearing as it deems necessary and relevant (such as an administrator’s or staff person’s immediate supervisor, the Human Resources person), etc.).

The committee’s recommendations and action for resolution will be presented in writing to each party in the grievance within seven (7) days of the hearing, which each party will sign.

Copies of the resolution will be retained, along with a written record of the hearing, in the Academic Dean’s Office (and by the Director of Administration, if appropriate.)

In all cases, the Committee’s recommendations and action for resolution will be final. In the event a member or members of the APC are involved or named in the grievance before the APC, the Dean will appoint a replacement in kind (faculty or administrator.) In the event the Academic Dean is involved or named in the grievance, the President will appoint a replacement for the Dean.

Credit Hour Policy

Federal regulation defines a credit hour as an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than: (1) One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or (2) At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

Hartford Seminary follows the common understanding in academia that “one hour of classroom” or a Student Hour is equivalent to a 50-minute session. Therefore, 3-credit courses require the equivalent of 37.5 clock hours of instruction and 75 clock hours of out-of-class student work per term. The courses at Hartford Seminary require approximately 42 clock hours of engaged time and approximately 70 clock hours of out-of-class student work per term.