A. Introduction
Academic honesty is an essential part of the Saint Francis University experience. Dishonesty in any aspect of the life of the University is viewed as being incompatible with the school's moral tradition. Accordingly, Saint Francis University has prepared a policy on academic honesty that will guide students in dealing with such issues in the process of learning regardless of the course delivery method.
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The University provides the email, network, guest network, and Internet resources for University-related activity. The purpose of the campus network is to support education and research by providing access to valuable resources. It also provides opportunity for interaction and collaborative work using the Internet through e-mail services and other network applications. The Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources policy is applicable to all employees and students.
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Acquiring alcohol for use at all University related functions
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To insure that new locations for offering Saint Francis University courses are approved by University administration, and in compliance with government regulations and accreditation agencies.
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Due to severe inclement weather the University may find it necessary to delay, or cancel classes, or may declare the classes as a required "virtual class day" in lieu of cancellation. Delay or cancellation of classes, or declaration of "virtual class day" does not mean that the University is closed. In fact, when classes are delayed or cancelled, or when a virtual class day is in effect, operations continue.
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Collections of audiovisual equipment are maintained by several academic departments. Information about such equipment can be obtained from department chairpersons.
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For email to work as an effective strategic communication tool, inboxes should be respected, not flooded. This policy establishes the process for group email messaging and outlines what is appropriate for sharing through email distribution lists, message board postings and alternative ways to communicate.
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This statement sets forth University policy and procedures for the handling and deposit of cash.
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Children on Campus Guidelines
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Circulation transactions are legal contracts between the library and the borrower. Borrowers are responsible for appropriate care of library materials charged out to them. The library is responsible for keeping borrowers' records confidential. Prompt return of library materials when due is a consideration shown to fellow library users.
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The Library of Saint Francis University values the privacy of individuals using library resources. The Saint Francis University Library subscribes to the American Library Association Code of Ethics as a guide for protecting the privacy of our users. The Saint Francis University Library will only release names or other personally identifying details in response to a search warrant, subpoena, or other lawful directives issued in accordance with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, 50 U.S.C. 1801, et seq., as amended by the USA PATRIOT ACT (Public Law 107-56), and Pennsylvania Law 24 P.S. Section 428. Personal information collected from library users is used to process requests and meet an individual’s library information and resource needs. The Saint Francis University Library does not sell personal information to any third party.
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The University desires to provide an opportunity to mitigate financial hardships for all full-time University employees who have completed one year of service and are dealing with catastrophic, unforeseen, and major personal or family illness. This will be accomplished by the creation of a Compassionate Leave Program whereby employees may donate accrued unused vacation or sick leave. Employees, who are experiencing a significant personal or family illness, as defined below, may receive donated paid time off if all of the qualifications are met.
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Confidentiality of University Documents and Records
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The term “conflict of interest” pertains to situations in which financial or other personal considerations compromise, or have the appearance of compromising, an individual’s professional judgment and ability to perform his or her responsibilities at Saint Francis University.
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The following procedures have been adopted by Saint Francis University (University) as authorized by action of the Board of Trustees (Board). These procedures shall be used for the orderly determination of the need to use consulting engineering firms, qualification and selection of firms, and general administration and monitoring of the engineering agreements. |
This Continuity of Operations Plan provides the framework by which Saint Francis University will mitigate impacts and restore essential services and operations at the University in the event of a catastrophic event. This plan identifies the overall concepts to manage University continuity objectives, identify operational priorities, clarify continuity of leadership, and activate processes and procedures for use during continuity operations. This policy aims to address 34 CFR 602.24(c) and works in conjunction with the Saint Francis University Crisis Communication Plan, Emergency Response Manual, and Pandemic Response Plan.
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Recognizing the balance between fostering creativity and protecting ownership, Saint Francis University expects and requires all students, faculty, and staff to comply with applicable copyright laws and this policy. Saint Francis University students, faculty, and staff are expected to have a basic understanding of copyright law in order to ensure compliance with the law and this policy.
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The primary purpose of course reserves is to make limited supplies of library and faculty-owned materials available to students.
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Accurate classification provides the basis to apply an appropriate level of security to University data. All University data are therefore classified into four levels of sensitivity to provide a basis for understanding and managing University data. These classifications take into account the legal protections (by statute, regulation, or by the data subject’s choice), contractual agreements, ethical considerations, or strategic or proprietary value. They also consider the application of "prudent stewardship," where there is reason to protect the data to protect individuals or the institution. This policy defines these classification levels and the care and maintenance of data based on these levels.
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The purpose of data governance is to establish a culture that ensures that institutional data is both secure and available to those who should have access to it. The policies and procedures delineated below serve as useful guidance to data stewards, users, and seekers alike.
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Deadly Weapons and Fireworks
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This policy focuses on procedures the University follows to authorize major capital projects, and the steps it takes to ensure that the issuance of new debt used to acquire, improve or construct major capital assets are both strategic and fiscally responsible.
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Drug/Alcohol Free Workplace
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Duplicating Services and Supplies
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Educational Opportunities
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Employee Assistance Program
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Employee Attendance Policy (Administrators and Staff) Purpose
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Employee Background Checks
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The success of the University is based on the commitment of its employees to put forth their best effort in all assigned duties. Employees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which promotes efficient and professional operations.
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Employee Drug and Alcohol Policy
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To provide departmental budget managers and others with budget responsibilities a basic understanding of IRS requirements and a procedure for ensuring that individuals hired or contracted to perform services are properly classified. Please note that payments made to a corporation for the services of an individual are not affected by this policy.
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Employment Definitions, Guidelines and Terms
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Saint Francis University ("the University") is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities, that are free from discrimination and harassment based on a protected characteristic, and retaliation for engaging in a protected activity.
The University values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all involved.
To ensure compliance with federal, state, and local civil rights laws and regulations, and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the education program or activity, the University has developed policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair, and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment on the basis of a protected characteristic, and for allegations of retaliation.
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Saint Francis University seeks to provide leadership and a consistent means to unite the university in a single voice in support of a framework designed to ensure fair treatment, full participation, and a sense of belonging for all members of the University Community. There are currently multiple committees, accreditation teams, and positions that have developed over the past few years all over the University to address questions of fair treatment, full participation, and a sense of belonging for all University Community members for the the NCAA, SAAC, SGA, as well as all of the academic accrediting bodies, the University is prone to be influenced by voices that are not congruous with our own tradition. In response, the following policy ensures that all published statements, activities, and representatives are compliant with the overall University Mission and align with Catholic Social Teaching, which ties directly back to our Catholic and Franciscan tradition. This ensures that the University is speaking and acting with a consistent voice and purpose.
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Saint Francis University strives to be an institution of high integrity and is committed to ensuring that recruitment and enrollment activities conducted at the University promote such an environment. The purpose of this policy is to ensure compliance with federal laws and regulation in order to prevent and eliminate fraudulent and aggressive recruitment of students (including but not limited to veterans and Military Service members) to the University.
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Acquiring and use of alcohol for events within the Curry Innovation Center, Altoona, and may only occur through Options A or B as detailed below.
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The policy describes how faculty awards are determined and managed.
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Family and Medical Leaves of Absence
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To establish a uniform final examination schedule in order to facilitate fairness and help maximize the educational experience for students.
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Final Pay of a Deceased Employee
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By law, all Investigators applying for and working on Public Health Services (PHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), or National Science Foundation (NSF) funded research must disclose significant financial interests (SFIs) that are related to the Investigators institutional responsibilities. Investigators are ALL persons, regardless of title or position, who are responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of research proposed for funding by the PHS, NIH, or NSF, including collaborators or consultants. This policy provides the framework to identify, evaluate and correct or remove real, apparent and potential conflicts of interest.
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Saint Francis University recognizes that an employee may occasionally feel that he/she has a complaint in relation to his/her work based upon the non-application, misapplication or inconsistent application of official University policies or procedures. If so, it is in the best interest of both the employee and the University that all such problems be resolved as soon as possible. The procedure that follows provides an opportunity for staff to have their complaints and proposed settlement reviewed by appropriate administrative personnel in a timely manner.
Note: Any complaints that relate to discrimination and/or harassment shall be addressed following the steps outlined in the Non-discrimination Policy and No-Harassment policy complaint procedures..
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To describe the University philosophy for graduate assistantships, process to secure a graduate assistant, terms of a contract, conditions for the experiential learning assignments, terms for the tuition waiver, associated and necessary information flow, reporting responsibilities, and other constraints and limitations.
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Saint Francis University encourages faculty and staff members (hereinafter referred to as "project director/principal investigator") to seek grant funding from public and private organizations to support the overall mission of the University. The policy has been developed to ensure that the University, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the ultimate recipient of all grant funding, retains control of the administration of all externally funded grants to satisfy the requirements of all federal, state, and private funding entities and to remain in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations.
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This policy is intended to provide general guidance for faculty, staff and students so that they may fully engage in the political process in a manner that does not jeopardize the University's tax-exempt status. This policy also provides guidelines for permissible appearances of candidates on campus.
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Holidays
Responsible Office: Human Resources
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Honors and Benefits for Retirees
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Table of Contents
INFORMATION SECURITY POLICY
DATA CLASSIFICATION POLICY
ORGANIZATION OF INFORMATION
LOGICAL ACCESS CONTROL POLICY
CONFIGURATION AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT
MOBILE DEVICE EMAIL POLICY
PRIVILEGED ACCESS POLICY
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The Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) relies on standards and best practices from across the IT industry to promote efficient and effective IT service management. Collegis' approach to IT governance is organized around a common industry standard framework called ITIL. Within ITIL, there are a number of processes that guide the information technology department in the management of IT services. In ITIL, new services are managed carefully and attentively, and ITS is organizing to better manage service design and operation with regard to projects and services. ITIL provides a policy framework for the management of IT at the University which, by this policy, is adopted for use at Saint Francis University.
The purpose of this governance framework is to ensure that ITS does the following with respect to information technology service management at Saint Francis University:
1. Establish responsibilities;
2. Develop a strategy to meet the University's objectives;
3. Ensure that hardware / software is acquired for valid reasons;
4. Ensure performance where required;
5. Ensure conformance with compliance rules and policy; and,
6. Ensure respect for human factors.*
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Saint Francis University has established an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to review all research involving the use of human subjects and to implement institutional policies and procedures regarding such research.
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Integrity and Accuracy of University Documents and Records
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Interlibrary Loan provides access to materials which are not available within the collections of the Saint Francis University Library. In order to provide global access to information resources, the Library participates in the OCLC Resource Sharing network, reciprocal borrowing programs, and library consortia.
The Saint Francis University Library provides basic interlibrary loan services at no cost to University users. The library also pays the cost of postage to send books to distance education students, and the cost for the return of these books to the Library.
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Jury Duty
Responsible Office: Human Resources
Saint Francis Univeristy will compensate all full-time university employees at their regular rate of pay for time served on jury duty during their regularly scheduled work hours. Employees are required to notify their supervisor immediately upon receiving a jury duty summons.
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The purpose of this policy is to define appointment, rank and promotion policies and procedures for the University librarians.
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This policy governing Resource Planning and Collection Development applies to the selection of all materials comprising the collections of the Saint Francis University Library.
Philosophy
The Saint Francis University Library provides the students, faculty, and staff of Saint Francis University and members of the community at large with excellent access to information resources, support for academic programs, and also promotes intellectual freedom as described in the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement.
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The purpose of this policy is to ensure access to the university information technology network by authorized persons as intended by University leadership, and the Department of Information Technology Services. This policy defines the levels of intended access by user type (role) and authorizes the Department of Information Technology Services to monitor for, detect and take actions to remedy violations of the Logical Access Policy.
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To provide short-term loans to the faculty, staff and employees. Loans will be made only if funds are available.
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This policy is to establish the standard that those employed by the University are prohibited under federal regulations from making any false, erroneous, or misleading statement directly or indirectly to a student, any member of the public, an accrediting agency, a state agency, or the U.S. Department of Education.
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Opiate overdose is one of the leading causes of accidental death in Cambria County. Fatal and non-fatal overdose can result from the abuse of opiates such as morphine, heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone as found in OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan, and hydrocodone as found in Vicodin. Act 139 of 2014 allows law enforcement to administer NALOXONE to individuals experiencing and opioid overdose provided certain requirements have been met.
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To outline the University's policy on submission of paperwork required upon hire of new or rehired employees.
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The Saint Francis University policy for non-commercial fundraising refers to income-generating activity that is conducted for private business or personal profit. The policy is aimed at protecting the use of Saint Francis University's name, brand, and logo.
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Obligation to Report Suspected Code Violations
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Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens and Infectious Diseases
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This policy is in accordance with Pennsylvania Code Section 23 -2302 A: Regulation of On-Campus Credit Card Marketing, effective July 1, 2024
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As an institution that participates in federal financial aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, Saint Francis University is committed to fully complying with federal regulations regarding state authorization as well as all requirements issued by States regarding the operation of higher education institutions within their jurisdictions. This policy is intended to address certain federal regulations, specifically 34 CFR 600.9, 34 CFR 668.43, and the rules of the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).
This policy therefore:
- Defines the offices, departments, and personnel responsible for ensuring the University’s compliance with laws, regulations, and agreements related to State Authorization;
- Establishes governance and communication structures necessary to maintain State Authorization compliance; and
- Empowers University offices, departments, and/or personnel described herein to expect cooperative assistance from other University offices, departments, and/or personnel in order to comply with State Authorization laws, regulations, and agreements.
This policy does not govern the University's compliance with laws, regulations, and agreements pertaining to issues beyond state authorization.
Scope:
This policy applies to all administration, faculty, and staff.
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Outside Employment and/or Business Interests
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To provide eligible employees an opportunity to request paid parental leave, in concurrence of an approved FMLA leave, for the birth or adoption of a child and to establish guidelines for participation in the Parental Leave Program as a recipient or donor.
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Parking
Responsible Office: University Police
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To outline the University's schedule for payment of wages.
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Performance Planning and Development (Administrators and Staff)
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Professionalism is reflected by the appearance and manner of faculty, staff, and student employees. Consequently the following guidelines have been established for maintaining and enhancing the Universitys image. Because the University is diverse in its operations different standards are deemed acceptable to different operations. Questions about acceptable dress should be first directed to an employees supervisor, then to the Human Resources Manager.
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Pets on University Property
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Photocopying, Printing and Office Supplies
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The purpose of the P-card program is to streamline and simplify the requisitioning, purchasing and payment process for small dollar transactions. The program is designed to shorten the approval process and reduce the paperwork of procurement procedures such as purchase orders, check requests and expense reimbursements.
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In accordance with the document, "Policy on Policies," 'Policies that apply to the operation of a division or departments may not conflict with university-wide policy, but may be more restrictive.
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Policy on HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
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The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the Saint Francis University community has ready access to well-developed and understandable University policies.
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Saint Francis University has always taken hazing seriously and continues to raise awareness about hazing and its prevention. The Stop Campus Hazing Act provides an additional layer to SFU's prevention efforts and response to campus hazing.
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Position/Department Transfers
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The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires the federal government as well as private, state, and local employers with 15 or more employees to "make reasonable accommodations to the known limitations related to the pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions of a qualified employee, unless [doing so] would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the business." |
Saint Francis University is committed to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of education records, to providing students with appropriate access to their education records, and to compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and its regulations. The purpose of this policy is to set forth the University’s policies and procedures regarding the privacy of and access to education records.
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Probationary Period (Administrators and Staff)
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Reasonable accommodations are alterations/changes in the workplace that enable persons with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their jobs and to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment.
Procedures for processing workplace accommodations will allow the University to process requests in a prompt, fair and efficient manner. The procedures also provide guidance to individuals with disabilities on steps to request accommodations and what to expect.
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This policy helps to ensure the University's compliance with federal regulations (34 CFR 668.43) and its obligations as a SARA-participating institution regarding public and direct disclosure requirements related to Professional Licensure Programs.
Scope:
This policy applies to academic administration, recruitment, and admissions personnel who administer Professional Licensure Programs, regardless of modality or geographic location.
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Property
Responsible Office: Risk Management
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Public Relations/Press Policy
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The PUMP Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) effective immediately with the exception of certain changes regarding remedies.
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Recruitment and Relocation Expenses
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Recruitment Philosophy, Policy, and Procedures
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Reductions in Non-Faculty Personnel and Re-Employment Guidelines
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Policy related to student billing class withdrawals and refunds
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The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for identifying related parties, managing conflicts of interest, and ensuring transparent disclosure of related party transactions at Saint Francis University. This policy is designed to ensure that all transactions with related parties are conducted fairly, in the best interests of the institution, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
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Workers' Compensation Program
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Saint Francis University is committed to the highest ethical standards of integrity for its administration, faculty and student body. The University expects all research conducted under its auspices to adhere to the strictest levels of intellectual honesty. This policy has been designed to meet the requirements of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS), under which the National Institutes of Health (NIH) operates, and other federal agencies.
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Resignation and Retirement Procedures
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Return from Medical Leave
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As Saint Francis University enters an era of growth we will do so with the mission of the University as our guiding light. The mission states, in part, that the university expresses the lived example of Saint Francis of Assisi in the modern world and promotes a culture that seeks understanding through innovation. With this in mind, we aim to ensure our employee work environment is led by our Catholic values and is understanding, flexible, and equitable. To meet the reality of the modern world, the University is establishing and supporting this remote work policy.
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Service and Assistance Animal Policy
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Statement of Commitment Saint Francis University is committed to making our digital materials accessible. "Accessible" means that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, can access our electronic information and educational opportunities fully, independently, and in a timely manner or with substantially equivalent access and ease of use. We actively work to identify, prioritize, and remove accessibility barriers in our digital platforms, applications, and electronic resources. Our efforts include ongoing assessment of our information technology, implementation of universal design principles, and continuous improvement of our accessibility standards.
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This policy describes how indirect funds from grants will be shared by different offices and individuals in order to recognize the cost of grant administration and to encourage grant writing by faculty and others. |
Smoking Policy
Scope:
Faculty, staff, students and visitors to campus.
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Social Security and Medicare Program
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Speakers
Responsible Office: Academic Affairs
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Special Compensation For Hourly (non-exempt) Employees
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The University strongly encourages all members of the University community who believe they have witnessed, experienced, or are aware of conduct that constitutes hazing to report it.
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Student Activities and Organization: Travel Policy and Notification Procedure
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This policy is established to provide an appropriate framework to resolve student complaints, to maintain the integrity of the academic environment, and to ensure the rights of students in such matters are clearly ensured and protected.
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This policy is in accordance with the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, specifically 34 CFR 668.43(c) and 34 CFR 600.9, which require the institution to make a determination regarding the State in which a student is located at the time of the student's initial enrollment in an educational program and upon formal receipt of information from the student that the student's location has changed to another State. This policy is necessary to provide a general structure under which the institution shall determine a student's location for purposes of complying with the federal rules, a condition of Title IV eligibility (i.e., the ability to offer federal student aid), and with the state authorization rules of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).
This policy is intended to address federal government consumer protection requirements of 34 CFR 668.43. When requested, and subject to applicable privacy laws, Saint Francis University will make the determination regarding a student's location, together with any supporting documentation, available to the Secretary of Education as required by 34 CFR 600.9(c)(2)(ii).
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The Saint Francis University Student-Athlete Missed Class Due to Athletics Participation policy establishes guidelines to deal with class attendance and class absence(s) associated with student-athletes' participation in intercollegiate athletics.
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Staff and administrators with appropriate academic qualifications may choose to teach courses for Saint Francis University |
Threats and Random Acts of Violence
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Training and Development (Administrators and Staff)
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Saint Francis University understands the importance of providing our students with effective and efficient transcript services. A new career, entrance to Graduate School, professional certification, or other important events depend on the prompt and secure delivery of your transcript. We also understand the need to protect the privacy of student transcripts and our obligations under Federal law.
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To provide clear and consistent practices for accepting graduate credit for transfer to Saint Francis University.
Scope:
Students formally accepted and enrolled in a graduate-level program at Saint Francis University.
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This policy provides employee and student requirements for operation of Saint Francis University (SFU) owned, leased, or rented motor vehicles, and requirements for use of personal vehicles on SFU business. The policy’s design is to optimize the motor vehicle related safety of SFU drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. The policy includes requirements related to the authorization, training, safe driving, and accident reporting of employees and students who drive SFU motor vehicles.
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Tuition Exchange Scholarship Programs
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Former Saint Francis University (SFU) employees now Contracted Employees assigned to Saint Francis University
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Unemployment Compensation Program
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly emerged as a transformative technology with profound implications for education, research, and university operations. This policy outlines the principles, guidelines, and practices that SFU shall follow in the development, deployment, and use of AI within the University by employees.
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Use and Operation of University Vehicles and Equipment
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To establish the standard for the use of the Statement of Nondiscrimination and ADA statements in University publications as part of Saint Francis University's commitment to providing a safe and nondiscriminatory employment and educational environment as well as in response to legal mandates.
Policy Officer: Chief Academic Officer; Vice President for Enrollment Management; Vice President for Innovative Partnerships and Student Development
Responsible Office: Marketing; Title IX; Accessibility Services
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To define the requirements for the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) on property owned or controlled by Saint Francis University ("Saint Francis" or "University"), or elsewhere for University-affiliated activities.
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Vacation
Responsible Office: Human Resources
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To ensure the University's compliance with 38 U.S. Code Chapter 36, Administration of Educational Benefits, and the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018.
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Voluntary Leave of Absences
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Voluntary Short Term Disability
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SCOPE
Saint Francis University, located in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States of America, provides the following information related to the privacy of users to the University's main website and other websites in the francis.edu domain (together, the "Sites").
PURPOSE
This privacy policy was established to address the collection, protection, and utilization of information that may be obtained by Saint Francis University through your use of the University's main website and other websites that we own or control (together, the "Sites").
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It is recommended that students contemplating withdrawal from the University first discuss this matter with their advisor or counselor. If students decide to withdraw, the Career Services' staff is available to assist them in clarifying and reaching their future goals. Information and counseling are available regarding transferring to other institutions as well as assistance in reaching new occupational objectives.
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Workplace and Environmental Health and Safety
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