ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
The university selects as students those applicants who seem to be the best qualified to profit from the educational opportunities offered by its programs. In making its selection, the university considers academic ability and other factors such as character, promise of leadership, health and interests in harmony with the particular aims of the university. Such information is obtained from data submitted by the applicant, certified records from school authorities, letters from references named by the applicant, personal interviews with staff members and a health record from the applicant's physician. No applicant will be barred from admission because of race, color, sex, creed, religion or physical handicap. Applications for readmission after academic or disciplinary suspension may be submitted after one semester (four months) has elapsed and will be considered on a professional basis with the welfare of the applicant and the university in mind.

The campus life department of Dakota Wesleyan University is responsible for preserving the freedom of students. Dakota Wesleyan University strives to ensure all students receive equal educational opportunities. Students should contact the vice president for campus life or director of student support if they require accommodations for equal opportunities, including freedom of access.

ARAMARK CAMPUS DINING SERVICE
Food service at Dakota Wesleyan University is under the direction of ARAMARK Campus Services. All students living on campus are provided with three meal opportunities each day, except Sunday when no breakfast is served. Seconds are available at all meals, except on premium night. Students must have their ID card with them to purchase their meal. The daily routine is varied with buffets, special meals and picnics. Students not on the meal plan who wish to eat in the dining hall may pay cash for their meals or may purchase a declining cash balance meal card through the food service director. Faculty, students and staff are encouraged to participate in regular food service committee meetings. For additional information contact the food service director.

Meals are served from the first day of orientation to the evening meal on the last day of final exams, except during holidays and breaks. Special notices will announce the closing and opening times around these vacation periods. Students who have employment on or off campus should work their jobs around the meal hours.

BABYSITTING
Babysitting is not permitted in any campus building due to issues of liability.

CABLE TV
Cable TV is provided in the lounge areas of the buildings at the university and in each room of the residence halls. Movie channels are not available to lounges as the lounges are legally defined public viewing areas. Tampering with cable lines is against university, city and state ordinances. Violation will result in disciplinary action.

CANDLES AND INCENSE
Burning candles and incense are not permitted in any building including offices and student rooms/apartments due to safety concerns and direction of the fire marshal. Students found to be in violation will be subject to disciplinary sanctions. Candles will be confiscated if they have been burned.

CHECK CASHING
Students may cash checks at the business office from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. A maximum of $20 per day will be allowed depending on availability of funds. Students are encouraged to explore local banking services.

CHRISTEN FAMILY WELLNESS/RECREATION CENTER
Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to use the Christen Family Wellness/Recreation Center during posted hours. Understand that intercollegiate athletic teams supervised by the coaching staff have priority usage of the facility. Every effort will be made to notify the DWU community regarding availability changes. Individuals/groups using the facilities during unauthorized hours will be asked to leave, be reported to local authorities and may face disciplinary action on and off campus.

DEBTS TO THE UNIVERSITY
Students who are indebted to the university and do not satisfy their financial obligations when due may be administratively withdrawn after certified written notice from the university without hearing. Such students or past students shall not be permitted to receive a transcript until their financial obligation is met. Persons administratively withdrawn shall not be permitted to reenroll during subsequent semesters until complete payment arrangements are made on all past due and current obligations.

DISMISSED STUDENTS
Students refused admission or readmission, or who are suspended or expelled, are required to cease participation in university activities. Students who live in the residence halls must check out and leave within two calendar days following the dismissal action. The director of residential life must approve any exception.

DIVERSITY/NONDISCRININATION
Dakota Wesleyan University welcomes faculty, staff, students and visitors of all faiths and promotes a policy of nondiscrimination in all areas with respect to age, race, sex, creed, color, national and ethnic origins, religious preferences, disabilities, backgrounds, and lifestyle choices.

DWU is committed to strengthening the relationships and level of understanding among people by supporting them in learning about the diversity that exists and enriches our community. We encourage each person to see this as a lifelong learning process and journey in which he/she continues to develop the skill and attitudes necessary to be a positive and productive member of society.

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS TO PRIVACY ACT (also known as FERPA)
FERPA is a federal law that requires all institutions of higher education, including Dakota Wesleyan University to protect students’ “education records” and “personally identifiable information.” This law protects all students who are or have been in attendance at Dakota Wesleyan University. FERPA does not protect individuals who have never been admitted to DWU. DWU is committed to protecting your information and is in compliance with federal regulations regarding access to your records and release of confidential information and has provided the following information to you regarding when and how it may be released. If you have additional questions regarding this information, contact the campus life office located in Prather Hall.

1. “Education records” is a term that encompasses all recorded information, regardless of the medium, which is directly related to a student and is maintained by DWU. Education records include, but are not limited to, admissions, personal, academic, certain personnel, financial aid, cooperative education and placement records. Education records do not include the following:

2. FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their education records.

3. The items listed below are designated as "directory information" and may be released for any purpose at the discretion of our institution.

Directory information at Dakota Wesleyan University is defined as: student name, campus box #, campus phone, residence hall address, permanent address, permanent telephone, email address, parents' names, hometown, high school attended, dates of attendance, full time/part time status, honors, awards, special recognition, degree(s) received, major, classification (senior, junior, etc.) activity photographs and sports participation, including height and weight of team members.

Under the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, you have the right to withhold the disclosure of the directory information. Should you decide to inform the institution not to release this directory information, any future requests for such information from non-institutional persons or organizations will be refused.

The institution will honor your request to withhold the directory information listed below, but cannot assume responsibility to contact you for subsequent permission to release them. Regardless of the effect upon you, the institution assumes no liability for honoring your instructions that such information be withheld.

Note: Directory information is a term used by FERPA to designate information that may be released without your consent. Although the campus directory will publish name, address and phone numbers, other information considered directory information will not be published. Dakota Wesleyan University is committed to insuring that student information is only released for legitimate requests that will assist our students in their educational experience at Dakota Wesleyan University.

4.Parental Notification. Higher Education Amendments #951 and #952 permit, but do not require, an institution of higher education to disclose to parents or legal guardians the results of disciplinary hearings in the following circumstances.

5. The aforementioned information is not all inclusive and there are other circumstances where the institution is permitted to release information with and without student consent. While the law contains additional exceptions, DWU reserves the option of requesting written permission from the student prior to release of certain types of information. Contact the vice president for campus life regarding specific situations and/or questions.

FINALIZATION
Student registrations are not complete until the student finalizes each semester's or session's registration in person at the business office. Finalizing involves paying or making acceptable arrangements to pay all costs incurred by the registration and must be done at the beginning of each semester or session.

When a student finalizes his/her registration, the process may include signing promissory notes, endorsing financial aid checks, and/or paying any balance remaining after subtraction of financial aid. If any remaining balance is not paid in full when finalizing, the student must enroll in a tuition-financing plan through the business office. A tuition-financing plan is available offering a competitive interest rate with scheduled payments.

FIRE DOORS
Internal fire doors are located in various buildings on campus and throughout each residence hall. These doors are designed to slow the spread of a fire. Each door is to remain shut at all times, unless magnetically or electronically controlled. All interior fire doors are appropriately labeled and identified.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Fire extinguishers are readily available on all floors of all buildings at Dakota Wesleyan University. These extinguishers are clearly marked and are usually at the end of the halls. If needed, use the instructions printed on the extinguisher. The tampering or destruction of fire fighting or detection equipment is a violation of Dakota Wesleyan policy and a federal offense. If a suspect cannot be apprehended for the incident, the floor/building will be assessed a fine in addition to replacement cost of the equipment.

FUNDRAISING
Fund-raising projects sponsored by campus organizations are permitted, but consultation with the vice president for campus life and the DWU Student Association Senate is required to eliminate conflicts between organizations' fundraising schedules.

IDENTIFICATION CARDS
During finalization, students receive permanent ID cards that are designed to last for as long as they are enrolled at Dakota Wesleyan University. These cards serve as a source of identification, a library card, a meal card for those students eating on campus, a pass into athletic/drama/music/student association events and a pass into the wellness center. The replacement fee for a lost ID card is $10 for nonresidential students and $50 for residential students. Residential ID cards serve the dual purpose of allowing residents access to their living areas and preventing unauthorized access, which justifies the increased replacement cost. The ID card is property of DWU and MUST BE surrendered upon withdrawal or separation from the university.

IDENTIFICATION/COOPERATION WITH STAFF
We reserve the right to request photo identification from any faculty, staff, student and/or guest as deemed necessary for the safe, efficient operation of the university including the residence halls. Individuals are expected to comply with all reasonable and legitimate requests from staff members in the enforcement of policies and/or for the safety of all.

IMMUNIZATION POLICY
Dakota Wesleyan University requires all students who were born after 1956 to present written confirmation from their family physician that the student has one of the following:

Students born after 1956 who are unable to comply with one of the above must be re-immunized.

Dakota Wesleyan University also requires each student to have a documented TB (Tuberculosis) skin test done within the past year. If the student has had a positive TB skin test in the past, a copy of the most recent chest x-ray must be submitted with the physical.

Dakota Wesleyan University, in compliance with the American College Health Association and the South Dakota Department of Health, recommends that incoming students have the following vaccines:

INFORMATION ABOUT CRIME ON CAMPUS
Title II of Public Law 101-542 requires that the university prepare, publish and distribute information on campus crime to all current students and employees and to any applicant for enrollment or employment. Click HERE for a current report of campus crime. These statistics were compiled from July 2005 to June 2006. Additional statistics will be made available as they occur after publication date.

Reporting of Violent and Non-violent Crimes The campus life department is responsible for responding to and recording all crimes in a centralized system. An agreement with local, state and federal law enforcement was implemented Aug. 15 1991, to clarify processing of all criminal activities. A statistical report is available, provided by Dakota Wesleyan University as required by the law.

Crime Stoppers www.mitchellcrimestoppers.org “Get involved without getting involved.” Too often people with vital information about crimes fail to contact police because they fear retaliation or because they don't want to testify in court. As a result, many dangerous criminals who should be in jail are still walking the streets, free to commit more crimes. Crime Stoppers enables anyone to enlist in the war on crime simply by making an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 996-1700 with information that could lead to the arrest of criminals.

Mitchell Area Crime Stoppers is an anticrime program run by a citizens' board of directors in cooperation with the Mitchell Police Department and Davison County Sheriff's Department. The money used by Crime Stoppers to pay a reward does not come from any governmental body. Citizens, groups, organizations and businesses throughout the Mitchell area donate all the reward money. Crime Stoppers is a way to participate in the fight against crime through your participation or contributions.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE CRIME
This is your opportunity to stop crime in the Mitchell area by connecting with Crime Stoppers.

INSURANCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS
Dakota Wesleyan University requires that all full time students carrying 12 or more credit hours must have a billable major medical insurance policy. If you do not have your own private policy that will provide coverage in Mitchell, S.D., you MUST purchase a major medical policy from Student Assurance Services, which is offered through the university.

JOINT RESPONSIBILITY
DWU subscribes to the theory of joint responsibility. The basis of this theory is that everyone present when/where a violation is occurring is choosing to remain there and is thus choosing to accept the consequences of that decision. Anyone who aids in the violation of university regulations or who encourages the violation of regulations may be deemed as responsible as the perpetrator and may be subject to the same sanctions as the offender.

MAIL
Mailboxes are assigned when students register for classes. A student will maintain the same mailbox throughout their enrollment at Dakota Wesleyan University. Mailboxes should be checked regularly. All mailboxes are located in the campus center. This example should be followed when addressing mail to DWU students:

OFF-CAMPUS FREEDOM OF STUDENTS

PARKING
Motor vehicles operated or parked by employees and students must be registered at the physical plant office within five school days after classes begin or five working days after employment with the university begins. There is no fee charged for the registering of the vehicle and the parking decal. Students, employees and L.B. Williams Elementary School employees may park their vehicles in any lot designated by their color codes. Vehicles parked in areas not corresponding to their stickers will be ticketed.

Streets adjacent to campus areas will be clearly marked to designate no parking areas. These areas will be clearly marked with yellow paint. All other areas are considered open parking if not otherwise prohibited. Vehicles found parked in a yellow "no parking" area will be ticketed. A full explanation of campus parking regulations is in the parking and traffic regulations pamphlet available from the campus life office.

PERSONAL LIABILITY
While we sympathize with any loss that may occur, DWU is not responsible for loss or damage to the personal property of residents, faculty, staff or guests from any cause. Therefore, all individuals are encouraged to insure their own personal belongings, take valuables home with them over vacation periods and lock their room/office doors at all times. Students are encouraged to check with parents' homeowners policy or arrange to purchase renters’ insurance in order to protect their personal property. Residents are advised to report any losses to their resident assistant or resident director. Faculty, staff and nonresidential students are encouraged to contact the Campus Life office. Individuals are encouraged to keep a record, including make, model, and serial numbers of their personal property. Pictures of your property can also be extremely helpful in the unfortunate event that the property is stolen or damaged and you need to file a police report or a claim with your insurance company.

PET POLICY
We know that students may be leaving pets behind when they come to campus. Please remind family and friends not to bring pets with them when they come to visit you. Pets have the potential to challenge the safety and physical condition of the campus and facilities as well as the potential for causing allergic reactions and increased noise. We understand your desire for them to “visit” you, but for safety and sanitation purposes fish are the only pets allowed in campus buildings, including the residence halls and apartments. The following guidelines must be adhered to:

Your pet (and the DWU community) will be happier and healthier if it is allowed to stay home. But if it does come to visit, the following guidelines are expected:

PRIVATE PROPERTY
The DWU campus and grounds, including residence halls and parking lots, are considered private property. DWU reserves the right to prohibit unauthorized individuals on the grounds if deemed to be in the best interest of the university, students, faculty and staff.

REFERENCES
Students must secure consent of the all potential references before listing a member of the faculty or administration as a reference when seeking employment or admission to graduate school. Not only is it a courtesy but it allows the reference time to prepare and give the best possible information about you and/or your experiences if contacted.

ROLLERSKATES, ROLLERBLADES, SKATEBOARDS, AND BICYCLES
These items may not be used within any campus building. Students are encouraged to put skates/blades on in the lobby of each building and NOT to wear them while walking up or down stairs. Students are not permitted to use these items on any university ramps or railings. While bicycles are an excellent form of transportation, they are not to be used inside any campus building. Riders are asked to secure their bicycle to the racks located adjacent to campus buildings. If you must bring your bicycle into the building, you are expected to carry it in such a manner as to not inhibit others and to store it in your room, apartment or office. Bicycles are not permitted to be left or stored in hallways, stairwells, or other public areas of any building for any reason.

ROOFTOPS
We value the safety of all members of the DWU community and thus only authorized individuals are permitted on rooftops. Any unauthorized person found to be on a roof is subject to disciplinary action. Additionally, any person using the roof to enter or leave a building will also be subject to disciplinary action.

ROOM AND BOARD CHARGES
Two students living together in a room will be charged double room rates. One student living alone in a room will be charged single room rates in most cases. If changes are made after the semester begins the student's billing will be adjusted accordingly from the date of change.

SNOW REMOVAL
In the event of any snowfall:

SOLICITATION AND ADVERTISING
No commercial or nonprofit solicitation, (including but not limited to door-to-door sales/endorsements of products or services) or advertising originating off campus is permitted in residence halls/apartments, Rollins Campus Center or other campus locations. In some cases, advertising may be permitted with prior approval obtained from the vice president for campus life. Unapproved advertising will be removed, and solicitors will be asked to leave campus. The marketing of alcoholic beverages and or events that promote the use of alcohol on the campus of DWU is strictly prohibited. The vice president for campus life must approve all campus surveys.

SPORTS ACTIVITIES
Sports activities (e.g., football, Frisbee, baseball, bowling, golf, hackysack) when played inside any building often result in damage to walls, ceilings, windows and furnishings. Therefore, sports activities are not generally permitted in any building other than the Christen Family Recreation/Wellness Center.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
A. Freedom of Association Since students bring a variety of interests and develop many new interests as members of the academic community, students should be free to join campus organizations whose bylaws have been approved by the Student Association Senate.

B. Freedom of Inquiry and Expression

C. Student Participation in Institutional Government
As constituents of the academic community, students have the privilege and responsibility, individually and collectively, to express their views on issues of institutional policy and on matters of general interest to the student body. The students at DWU have the right of petition, expression in student publications, and participation in certain institutional committees, such as the campus life committee, which formulate and apply institutional policy affecting academic and student affairs.

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS
Student publications are a valuable aid in establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of free and responsible discussion and of intellectual exploration on campus.
The institution bears the responsibility for the content of publication. The publications board, in consultation with students, faculty and administration, has responsibility for written clarification of the role of the student publications and the standards to be used in their operation. At the same time, the editorial freedom of student editors and managers entails corresponding responsibilities to be governed by the canons of responsible journalism such as the avoidance of libel, indecency, undocumented allegations and attacks on personal safeguards.

For the editorial freedom of student publications, the following provisions are necessary.

SUMMER HOUSING
Any student needing housing during any portion of the summer school term should contact the director of residence life and/or campus life office for additional information.

THEFT
There are few things more destructive to a sense of community than theft. Theft takes many forms from “borrowing” another’s possessions without permission to shoplifting to robbery and every variation in between. While the formats may be different, the situation tends to result in feelings of loss, betrayal, anger, and insecurity not only from the victim but from others within the community. Instances of theft tend to undermine the sense of trust and safety necessary for a community to function and thus all members of the DWU community are urged to protect their personal property and report those who violate that trust. Individuals violating this sense of trust with acts of theft may be subject to disciplinary action and may be referred to local authorities for criminal prosecution.

TOBACCO
Tobacco usage has been linked to numerous serious health hazards for both smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke. In our continuing efforts to provide a safe and healthy living and learning environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors, smoking and tobacco usage (including chewing tobacco) are not permitted anywhere on the Dakota Wesleyan University campus (including individual residence hall rooms/apartments). Individuals choosing to participate in these habits may do so inside their personal vehicle (even if it is parked in a campus parking lot) or off campus property. Tobacco usage is not permitted in university vehicles under any circumstance. Individuals requesting assistance in overcoming these addictions are referred to the campus nurse or the campus counselor for assistance, resources and support information.

TRESPASSING
Students are not permitted in areas and rooms that are locked and/or for which they have not been assigned a key or where specifically prohibited. (e.g., mechanical rooms, storage and supply rooms, electrical rooms, tunnels, offices, attics or other resident hall rooms). Unauthorized presence in, use, or possession of keys for such areas is subject to judicial action.

VENDING MACHINES
Vending machines are available in each building. Notify campus personnel if any machine is not working appropriately and money is lost.

VOICE MAIL
All faculty, staff and students have a voice mailbox. Information on how to use voice mail is available through the Help Desk, extension 2697.

WEAPONS
Dakota Wesleyan University and the surrounding areas are generally considered safe locations. As with any community, some people feel the need to possess one or more weapons to safeguard their possessions or sense of personal security. While individuals possessing weapons legitimately are generally trained in safety procedures, not everyone is. For the safety of all members of the DWU community, possession, usage and storage of weapons, fireworks and explosives are not permitted on campus property, including parking lots and residence hall rooms/apartments without permission from the vice president for campus life or his/her designee. Faculty, staff and students desiring to possess or store hunting equipment on campus should contact the resident director if he/she resides in campus housing or the vice president for campus life for specific information regarding other campus areas. We strongly discourage the storage of weapons on gun racks or in plain sight within vehicles parked on our campus and remind everyone that it is illegal and dangerous to store or transport a loaded weapon. As an added safety measure, ammunition is prohibited inside any campus building.

Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal of employees or expulsion of students. Violators may also be asked to leave university property and may face additional charges on or off campus.

WINDOWS/SCREENS
Windows should remain locked when not in use as an added safety measure. Windows and/or screens may not be altered, loosened or removed for any reason. Dropping, throwing or allowing objects (liquid or solid) to be brought into or ejected out of windows in any manner in any university area is prohibited and will result in disciplinary action. Residents are responsible for any object transported into the building or ejected out via their room window, with or without their permission and for screens that are found unsecured, missing or damaged. A $60 charge will be assessed per resident/per occasion if these situations are discovered in the residence halls or campus apartments. Windows provide a secondary exit in the event of an emergency and thus nothing should be placed in such a manner as to block access to them.

WITHDRAWAL/LEAVE OF ABSENCE (LOA)
A student wishing to withdraw from the university must complete official withdrawal procedures through representatives in the admissions office and registrar's office. Any student who officially withdraws from Dakota Wesleyan University from the second through the eighth calendar week will receive a grade of "WP" (Withdraw-Passing) or "W" (Withdraw) in each course in which the grade at the time of dropping is "D" or better; otherwise the grade "WF" (Withdraw-Failing) will be recorded on the transcript. A student who withdraws after the end of the eighth calendar week will automatically receive a grade of "F" for each course unless reasons of a compelling personal nature justify the withdrawal as determined at the discretion of the university. The course instructor, the academic adviser and the vice president for academic affairs and dean must approve such exemptions to the rule. Any student who withdraws and whose academic averages are above the minimal levels is eligible for readmission any semester following the date of withdrawal. If a student withdraws from the university because of illness or any other acceptable reason approved by the vice president for campus life, cost of education and residential living charge refunds will be made as specified in the college catalog.

The vice president for campus life initiates a forced withdrawal when a student has been absent from all classes for three or more weeks and has failed to follow the official withdrawal procedures. The student will receive a "F" on the transcript in each course in which the student is registered for that semester.

These forms may be obtained from the campus life department.