General Policies

A COMMUNITY OF DIFFERENCE: A COMMITMENT TO A PRINCIPLE OF HONOR

Students of Occidental College strive for high standards of excellence, equity, community and service. This endeavor requires an environment in which each individual is able to flourish. Since the Occidental student body is diverse and passionate, maintaining this community is a process that is as constant and challenging as it is rewarding.

The Occidental Community is a community of difference. Divergent opinions and beliefs are not simply necessary to the community — they constitute it. Oxy students confront the possibility of disagreement, opposition and conflict in each day’s activities. This can be a trying and difficult endeavor. Oxy students are united in their agreement that they are enriched by these engagements. They assert that the constructive and critical examination of their beliefs leads to intellectual, personal, and social fulfillment. Therefore, protecting the integrity of their discourse is a matter of collective concern.

This principle of honor stems from a common agreement to adhere to standards of engagement that preserve the graciousness of our exchange. This requires that students engage one another honestly, but also responsibly and respectfully. The students of Occidental College define community standards and agree to advance this principle. These standards are neither static nor imposed on them; rather, they are determined by students. It follows that they continuously defend, implement, and revise this principle themselves. They mutually recognize that their principle of honor serves to preserve the passion and difference that is the Occidental Community.

STUDENT CONDUCT

Attendance at Occidental College is a privilege. The College expects that its students will adhere to a spirit of honor and good citizenship both on- and off-campus; conduct themselves in a manner that reflects credit on themselves and the College; and abide by all regulations of the College. The Office of Community Rights and Responsibilities may impose disciplinary sanctions on a student whose conduct does not uphold these criteria. Following appropriate procedures with due regard to individual rights, College administrators may determine a student’s conduct justifies sanctions, which may include suspension or expulsion. The College reserves the right to withhold its degree or its transcripts from a student with outstanding financial obligations to the College, its student organizations, or others in the community.

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Each new student is assigned a specific faculty member or administrator as his or her advisor.

AUTOMOBILES

Students are permitted to have vehicles but must register them with the Campus Safety Department to obtain a parking permit. All vehicles parked on campus must display a valid parking permit. Temporary parking permits are available for guests and visitors. Parking on campus is limited and most desirable spaces are taken quickly. Plan to arrive on campus early enough for the best options. All persons operating a vehicle on the campus are required to comply with the Occidental College Parking and Traffic Regulations (available at Campus Safety and in the Student Handbook) and the California Vehicle Code. Violators will be cited.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER

The Career Development Center (CDC) supports students to consider, dream and connect so that they may achieve excellence in their career development and graduate school aspirations. The CDC encourages students to set short- and long-term goals to explore different career options before making decisions. Students may participate in counseling, workshops, assessment instruments, videotaped mock interviews, and other events during their years on campus.

The CDC provides resources in a supportive environment that complements students’ academic and co-curricular exploration. Resources include: pre-law advising, workshops, and panels throughout the year; a social business dinner to learn etiquette skills and professional relationship building; the Nationwide Internships Consortium (NIC), which provides more than 5,000 internships nationwide; CAPS, our Community Arts and Public Service Internship program, a paid summer internship program exclusive to Occidental; ASK (Alumni Sharing Knowledge), a group of alumni who advise students on career exploration; and Walk in My Shoes, a job-shadowing program with alumni and local community leaders. The CDC offers an extensive website of career-related information and a Career Resource Library with internet search tools and more than 400 books and media on career topics.

Additionally, the CDC provides information about part-time, full-time, summer, and fellowship opportunities. The CDC also brings employers and graduate schools to campus who provide information and recruiting presentations.

DRUGS

The use, possession, and/or distribution or sale of illegal drugs on campus is prohibited. The policies on drugs and alcohol are published in the Student Handbook.

EMMONS HEALTH CENTER

The College takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard the health and safety of students. All entering students are required to file a Health History and Physical Examination form prior to registration with Emmons Health Center. In compliance with HIPAA guidelines, all medical information is confidential and may only be accessed by the student (age 18 and above). This history will become a part of the student’s permanent medical record and will be held in strict confidence at Emmons Health Center. Failure to complete this requirement on time may delay course enrollment, and the student may incur late fees.

Emmons Health Center is committed to providing students with high quality medical care, preventive health education, and supportive counseling services. Emmons staff applies a comprehensive approach to healthcare and provides services to enhance the physical and emotional well being of students so they may be fully engaged in all aspects of their college experience.

Emmons medical staff of licensed family nurse practitioners provides primary care for episodic minor illnesses and injuries, routine physical exams, screening exams and lab tests, women’s health exams, sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment, and referral to medical specialists. Emmons counseling staff of psychologists and marriage and family therapists provides short-term individual, couple, or group counseling, emergency intervention, and assessment. Students may be referred to a local mental health provider for more serious problems and/or longer-term therapy. Professional staff, licensed therapists, and Campus Safety officers certified in first aid and CPR provide coverage for after-hours emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the regular semester. Urgent-care facilities and hospitals are located within five miles of campus.

All charges for therapy, consultations, treatment, and medical and lab services are billed to the student’s account. All services are confidential and information can only be disclosed with the student’s written permission. Exceptions to this policy are made only in cases of imminent danger to the student or to others.

Emmons Health Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the regular semester and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during academic breaks. Professional counselors are on call 24 hours per day, seven days a week during the regular semester. Students are strongly encouraged to make appointments, which are given priority over non-emergency walk-ins.

For more information and current health information, call Emmons Health Center at (323) 259-2657 or visit http://departments.oxy.edu/emmons.

HEALTH INSURANCE

All Occidental students must document adequate health insurance coverage for injury and sickness. Injury insurance is mandatory for all students. Students may be required to purchase sickness coverage unless proof of comparable coverage is furnished. Students who reside outside of California must check their policy for any out-of-state limitations. To waive sickness coverage, students must complete a sickness insurance waiver. The waiver may be obtained by visiting http://www.oxy.edu/StudentHome.xml (click the “SBS Forms” link under the Student Resources menu). This waiver must be submitted to Emmons Health Center no later than September 12, 2008. International students and students participating in Oxy abroad programs are not permitted to waive sickness coverage.

United Healthcare Student Resources offers injury and sickness insurance plans. United Healthcare student insurance is a fee-for-service plan. Students covered by this plan may choose any licensed provider. Based on the coverage purchased, the injury and sickness policies cover students year-round, whether they are on campus or off and whether they are in the United States or abroad.

For additional information, please visit United Healthcare’s website at www.uhcsr.com. For questions regarding coverage or other assistance, please contact Julie Gordon, United Healthcare’s part-time, on-site student insurance coordinator at (323) 259-2836 or jgordon@oxy.edu.

PROPERTY INSURANCE

The College is not responsible for any loss of or damage to students’ personal property. Students or their parents are encouraged to carry appropriate insurance coverage on personal belongings brought to campus. Parents may wish to review their current homeowner’s policy for possible coverage.

For information about health insurance (accident and sickness), please refer to the Health Services section.

RESIDENCE LIFE AND HOUSING SERVICES

Occidental is a residential college that supports an integrated living and learning environment. The intellectual vitality of the institution extends to every residence hall on campus.

Accommodations in the residence halls include single, double, and triple rooms. All students in residence (except Berkus House) must select one of the meal plans available.

All first-year and sophomore students are required to live on campus. New students are assigned housing based on the information they provide on the Residence Information form. In recognition of the specific needs of first-year students, first-year students will be housed together in a community that offers a comprehensive program of support and education for life outside the classroom.

Transfer students have the option to live in campus residence halls provided space is available when they are first accepted.

Housing agreements are for the entire academic year (two consecutive semesters), and students who move out of their residence hall room before the conclusion of the academic year are still responsible for room rent for the entire year. Students previously matriculated apply for residence during room draw through the Office of Residence Life and Housing Services.

The Housing and Meal Plan License Agreement is a nine-month agreement and students may be released from the License Agreement without charges only under the following conditions:

1. Withdrawal from the College, completion of degree program, leave of absence, or participation in an approved Oxy study-abroad program.
2. Marriage (the College reserves the right to request proof of marriage prior to granting a cancellation).
3. Birth of a child.
4. Written notification to Residence Life and Housing Services by May 17 for fall semester housing only. Students who are not in attendance at the College for fall semester housing will have until November 17 to cancel the Housing and Meal Plan License Agreement.

Fall cancellations made after the May 17 deadline are subject to the following charges:

Spring cancellations made after the November 17 deadline are subject to the following charges:May-May 31 $500.00
June 1-July 15 1/2 the semester room rate
After July 16 Full semester room rate

The halls and dining room are closed during winter break. The services of the Health Center, the health staff and Counseling Center staff are not available when the residence halls are closed.

The College reserves the right to entertain delegates to association meetings, conventions, and other related groups in the residence halls during vacation periods. Residence students will be notified in advance of such contemplated occasions and assurance given to them that the College will use every reasonable precaution to safeguard personal property during such occupancy.

The College reserves the right to enter the rooms of students living in the residence halls, and has the right to dispose of articles left by residents.

The College assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to student possessions.