Student Handbook: Section 1: Mission and Purpose
This Student Handbook contains helpful information, guides, and directories. It also contains policy statements and regulations, which every Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ student is expected to follow. Each student is responsible for knowing and observing the contents of both this handbook and the Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ Catalog.
Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ (DU) is happy to welcome you to our campus community. The administration, faculty, and staff hope each year will be enjoyable and that you will choose to take advantage of the many opportunities for learning, growth, and development both inside and outside the classroom. Your years at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ will be among the most important and rewarding in your life.
Since university provides you not only with formal education, but also with the time to explore, meet new people, and become a leader in the campus community, we hope you will get involved in the many enriching intellectual, social, cultural, and spiritual opportunities available to you here at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ.
This handbook provides detailed and important information about campus policies, procedures, and practices. The Student Affairs staff is here to assist you in growing into the independence of life beyond home and university. We look forward to supporting you and challenging you as you fulfill your academic and professional dreams at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ. We are confident your DU experience will be demanding, fulfilling, and rewarding.
The mission of Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ is to prepare students for life and leadership in an increasingly complex world. Founded on the principle that education should elevate human dignity and foster civic responsibility and compassion, the University seeks to integrate the intellectual qualities acquired through study of the liberal arts with the education necessary for professional accomplishment. This integration which recognizes equal value in liberal studies and professional programs aims at preparing graduates who are dedicated to the health and well-being of both their local and global communities.
With a Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ education, students will acquire the skill to solve problems creatively and think critically. They will be comfortable with diversity and will recognize the importance of a global perspective. They will be able to work with others and be invigorated by environments that present challenges and demand innovation. Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ students are expected to be active participants in their own education and informed citizens who understand that learning is a life-long journey.
At the heart of Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ's integrated learning experience is the relationship that can develop between the University's faculty and its students. Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ prides itself on maintaining a student-centered atmosphere and a close professional and collaborative association among all members of the University community. Assisted by a supportive faculty, Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ students are encouraged to pursue goals beyond their initial expectations, to respond to academic challenges, and to develop habits of mind that will enrich their lives as well as those of their community.
Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ is committed to compliance with its obligations under Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Executive Orders, the New York State Human Rights Law, and other applicable antidiscrimination laws. It is the policy of Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ to provide all students and applicants an equal access to all programs and facilities without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, race, color, creed, religion, veteran or military status, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, status as an ex-offender, arrest record, predisposing genetic characteristics or genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal or New York State law. Furthermore, the University will not discriminate against any individual with respect to the application of University policies, or the criteria for the successful completion of any course or program based on the statuses outlined above. Every person in the Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ community is required to be familiar with and act in accordance with this policy. This includes administrators, faculty, staff, students, contractors, and vendors. All violations of this policy will be addressed and, where appropriate, discipline will be administered. Any person or entity found in willful violation of this nondiscrimination policy shall be subject to termination, expulsion or contract termination as appropriate.
The University President has assigned day-to-day responsibilities for the implementation and administration of this policy to the Chief Diversity Officer and Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Tiffany Hamilton, who is the University’s Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Officer. Any questions concerning this policy and any complaints of discrimination should be communicated to the EOAA Officer, Duns Scotus, Room 115, Telephone 716-839-7699, thamilto@daemen.edu.
A student also has the right to file a complaint of discrimination with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Education. Complaints are to be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged act of discrimination and may be made to the New York regional office of OCR:
New York Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
32 Old Slip, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10005-2500
Telephone: 646-428-3900
FAX: 646-428-3843; TDD: 877-521-2172
Email: OCR.NewYork@ed.gov
The right is reserved to change any of the rules and regulations of the University at any time, including those relating to admission, instruction, and graduation. The right to withdraw curricula and specific courses, alter course content, change the calendar, and to impose or increase fees similarly is reserved. All such changes are effective at such times as the proper authorities determine and may apply not only to prospective students but also to those who are already enrolled in the University.
- 39 Getzville is home to the Marketing and Communications division of the university.
- Academic and Wellness Center (AWC) houses the fitness center and recreation space, as well as state-of-the-art classrooms for physical therapy and athletic training.
- Alumni House is the home for Advancement, Alumni, and Employee Engagement offices.
- Athletic Facilities include a basketball court in Lumsden Gym, exercise and weight rooms in the Academic and Wellness Center, saunas, and an outdoor practice field.
- Business Building includes business faculty offices, classrooms, a computer lab and a student lounge as well as the Office of Information Technology.
- Campus Village Apartments comprise seven buildings with 96 apartment-style units. Each apartment has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room and a kitchen. Lounges and laundry facilities are also available on each floor.
- Canavan Hall is a suite-style residence hall with kitchenettes, lounges, and laundry.
- John R. Yurtchuk Student Center houses student life offices, including Campus Safety and the 24/7 Information Desk, lounges, a main dining room seating 650, the Wildcat Den, and a social room/auditorium seating 500.
- Duns Scotus Hall houses administrative and faculty offices, classrooms, science laboratories, art studios, lounges, and the bookstore.
- Haberman Gacioch Center for Visual & Performing Arts is a dramatic space which features the Tower Gallery, studios for illustration, figure drawing and painting, a graphic design production area, computer labs, faculty offices and the Sr. Jeanne File Art History Resource Center.
- Honors House is the home for the Honors Study Lounge and Honors Program.
- MusicalFare Theatre houses the theater and offices of MusicalFare Theatre.
- Patricia E. Curtis Hall houses Physician Assistant, Psychology, & Social Work.
- Research and Information Commons (RIC) was built with innovative green technology, and is LEED Gold-certified. The RIC houses a comprehensive library, the Student Success Center, Smart Squad, the Professional Educator Resource Center, 78 West Cafe, small-group study rooms, and many state-of-the-art amenities to enhance the study experience.
- Rosary Hall is the original University administrative and classroom building, currently restored to house the division of Enrollment Management & Admissions.
- Schenck Hall houses laboratory facilities, classrooms, and a 300-seat lecture hall.
- Thomas Reynolds Center for Special Education & After-School Programs includes a conference room, an observation room, and four classrooms, one of which is equipped with a smartboard.