General Information and Policies

The particular nature and goals of Lenoir-Rhyne University presuppose that everything done has some religious dimension. Standards of moral and ethical value form the university’s value-based education. The university holds as sources for value the Scriptures and the traditions of the Christian church, as well as the insights of the arts and culture. It affirms and cherishes its relationship to the Lutheran Church yet takes a broad and sympathetic approach to religious diversity. Religious activities designed to engage Christian principles and culture include regular worship services, student group programs, forums, convocations and regular interaction with the larger religious communities in which the university resides.

Lenoir-Rhyne Technology Use Policy

Purpose

Lenoir-Rhyne University strives to maintain access for its students, faculty and staff to local, national and international sources of information and to provide an atmosphere that encourages the sharing of knowledge, the creative process and collaborative efforts within the university’s educational, research and public service programs. For a complete list of policies and processes around technology, please visit the myLR portal, the Office of information Technology page, as well as The Lenoir-Rhyne University Student Handbook.  

Policy

Access to electronic information systems at Lenoir-Rhyne is a privilege, not a right, and must be treated as such by all users of these systems. With this privilege come the following responsibilities:

• Act honestly and responsibly.
• Maintain the integrity of these information resources.
• Protect from access by others and keep passwords and ID’s private.
• Respect the rights of other computer users.
• Respect the integrity of the physical facilities and controls.
• Act in accordance with relevant local, state and federal laws and regulations.
• Abide by all federal copyright laws and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

Unauthorized Access

Unauthorized access to information systems is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Use of or sharing another’s password or ID.
• Trying to guess another’s password or ID.
• Any attempt to circumvent system security.

Misuse of Information Systems

Misuse of university information systems are prohibited and shall include, but not be limited to:

• Sending any harassing or threatening electronic communication.
• Using electronic communications to violate the property rights of authors and copyright owners. Users should be especially aware of potential copyright infringement through the use of email.
• Using electronic communications to send chain letters or to initiate or perpetuate phishing attacks.
• Forging, fraudulently altering or falsifying or otherwise misusing university or non-university records (including computerized records, permits, identification cards, or other documents or property).
• Launching a computer virus or other malicious program.
• Use of any university information system to access, download, print, store, forward, transmit or distribute obscene material.

• Violating any local, state or federal law or regulation in connection with use of any information system.

Use of Computer Labs/Facilities

Users of computer labs are obligated to all policies herein and to any supplemental policies posted in that lab. Further regulations include but are not limited to:

• Food, drink, or tobacco use is not permitted in computer labs.
• Users shall not attempt to add, delete or modify data, files or programs on classroom or lab technology equipment.
• Primary use of all labs is for academic and educational purposes. Users must be respectful of this in behavior.
• Users shall report any malfunction or concern to the Help Desk as posted in the lab.

Privacy

When university information systems are functioning properly, a user can expect the files and data generated to be private information unless the creator of the file or data takes action to reveal it to others. However, users should be aware that no information system is 100 percent secure. Persons within and outside of the university may find ways to access files. ACCORDINGLY, THE UNIVERSITY CANNOT AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE USER PRIVACY, and users should be continuously aware of this fact.

All policies stated herein are applicable to email. Users should never assume that no one other than the addressee would read the message(s). Users should also be cautious about attachments and broad publication of messages. Copyright laws and license agreements also apply to email.

Academic Honesty

Faculty and students are reminded that computer-assisted plagiarism is still plagiarism. Unless specifically authorized by a class instructor, all the following uses of a computer are violations of the university’s guidelines for integrity code and are punishable as acts of plagiarism:

• Copying a computer file that contains another student’s assignment and submitting it as your own.
• Copying a computer file that contains another student’s assignment and using it as a model for your own assignment.
• Working together on an assignment, sharing the computer files or programs involved and then submitting individual copies of the assignment as own individual work.
• Knowingly allowing another student to copy or use one of your computer files and to submit the file, or a modification thereof, as individual work.

Drug Free Schools and Communities Act

In 1987, Lenoir-Rhyne University entered into affiliation with the network of colleges and universities committed to the elimination of drug and alcohol abuse. In doing so, the university committed itself to a policy which is consistent with federal, state and local laws regarding the use of alcohol and illicit or controlled substances. Furthermore, the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1988 and Amendments of 1989 (DFSCA) require that institutions of higher education adhere to ”standards of conduct that clearly prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its property or as part of any of its activities.” (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-A/part-86?toc=1).

The following North Carolina Statutes inform the university’s position on drug and alcohol use:

Alcohol: (NC STATUTE 18B-302)

• It shall be unlawful for a person less than 21-years-old to purchase, attempt to purchase or possess malt beverages, wine, liquor or mixed beverages.
• It shall be unlawful to sell or give malt beverages, wine, liquor or mixed beverages to anyone less than 21-years-old.
• It shall be unlawful for anyone to obtain or attempt to obtain alcoholic beverages by using a fraudulent or altered driver’s license or other ID (also by using driver’s license or other ID issued to another person).

Controlled Substances: (NC STATUTE 90-95)

• It is unlawful for any person to manufacture, sell or deliver or possess with intent to manufacture to sell or deliver, or possess a controlled substance or counterfeit controlled substance.
• It is unlawful for any person to knowingly use, possess, manufacture or deliver drug paraphernalia (N Statute 90-113.22, 90-113.23) as defined in N Statute 90-113.21

Penalties

Lenoir-Rhyne University takes very seriously the possession, use or sale of any controlled substance as well as violations of the laws regarding alcoholic beverages. The campus is not a sanctuary that relieves students or its employees of their responsibilities as citizens to abide by local, state and federal laws, nor college regulations, policies and procedures. For details regarding drug and alcohol policies, see The Lenoir-Rhyne University Student Handbook.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a federal law which helps protect the privacy of student education records. The act provides eligible students the right to inspect and review their education records. An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or one who attends a postsecondary institution. The intent of the legislation is to protect the rights of students and to ensure the privacy and accuracy of education records.

The rights protected under FERPA include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days of the day Lenoir-Rhyne University receives a written request for access.
2. The right to request an amendment to the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information (PII) contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
4. The right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
US Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202-5901

Definitions as Related to FERPA Policy and Practice

Student: Any person currently or formerly enrolled at Lenoir-Rhyne University (or Lenoir-Rhyne College) regardless of their age or status with regard to parental dependency. Note that records of students who have made application but have not been admitted to Lenoir-Rhyne are not subject to FERPA guidelines, nor are the records of deceased students.

Educational Record: Any record maintained by the university directly related to a student and/or which contains information personally identifiable to a student. Educational records do not include:

• Sole possession records or private notes held by school officials that are not accessible or released to other personnel.
• Campus security records that are solely for campus safety/security enforcement purposes and maintained solely by the Campus Security department.
• Records relating to individuals who are employed by the university (unless directly related to employment status).
• Records relating to treatment provided by a physician, psychologist, psychiatrist or other recognized professional or para-professional and disclosed only to individuals providing treatment.
• Records created or received by the university after the student has graduated or is no longer enrolled (i.e. alumni records).

School Official: Any member of the Lenoir-Rhyne faculty, staff or administration whose intention is to act in the student’s educational interest within the parameters of their position at the university. In addition to faculty, staff and administration, school officials may also include contractors, volunteers and others performing institutional functions. Students who are serving on an official university committee or otherwise employed by the university may also be considered school officials if performing in the interest of the requested capacity. Reasons of legitimate educational interest for a school official include, but are not limited to:

• Performing a task that is specified in his or her position or contract.
• Performing a task related to a student’s education or academic progress.
• Performing a task related to the discipline of a student.
• Providing a service or benefit relating to the student (or student’s family) such as health care, counseling, job placement or financial aid.
• Maintaining the safety and security of the campus.

Directory Information: Lenoir-Rhyne University defines the following as Directory Information:

• Name
• Local and home/permanent address, telephone and Lenoir-Rhyne email address
• Name and address of the student’s parent(s)
• Date and place of birth
• Major and degree
• Participation in officially recognized university activities and sports
• Height and weight of university athletes
• Enrollment status (e.g., dates of attendance, class level, full-time/part-time)
• Degree completion (or non-completion)
• Honors, awards and recognition

Notification of Policy

Lenoir-Rhyne University releases the FERPA policy annually in the university’s Undergraduate Catalog. Any significant changes to the policy are disseminated to the campus community via email and on myLR, the university’s internal website.

Release of Information/Records

Lenoir-Rhyne University will disclose information from a student’s educational records with the written consent of the student. Written consent may be received by means of an online transcript request, signed FERPA Release or Transcript Request form or signed letter of consent directly from the student. Written consent may be submitted in person through the US Postal Service, scanned attachment (pdf or Microsoft Word) via email or by secured fax at 828.328.7378. An email from the student may not serve as written consent.

In some cases, Lenoir-Rhyne may release information from a student’s educational records without the direct consent from the student. Records may be released without consent when the disclosure is:

• To appropriate school officials (defined above).
• To authorized representatives of federal, state or local educational authorities.
• In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or the student has received.
• To third-party vendors conducting research or other analysis for or on behalf of the university.
• To accrediting organizations.
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena (note that under these circumstances we will make every effort to notify the student prior to compliance).
• Related to a health or safety emergency.
• Information defined as directory information
• The disclosure concerns sex offenders and other individuals required to register under state or federal law.

Release of Directory Information

Unless a student requests in writing to the contrary, Lenoir-Rhyne University is permitted to release the following types of information without consent from the student:

• Name
• Local and home/permanent address, telephone, and Lenoir-Rhyne email address
• Name and address of the student’s parent(s)
• Date and place of birth
• Major and degree
• Participation in officially recognized university activities and sports
• Height and weight of university athletes
• Enrollment status (e.g., dates of attendance, class level, full-time/part-time)
• Degree completion (or non-completion)
• Honors, awards and recognition

Students wishing to restrict the release of directory information must submit a signed, written statement to the Registrar’s Office. Please note that once received, all directory information will be withheld from a variety of third parties including parents/spouses, employers (current and prospective), honor societies and, of course, the media. Once the restriction is filed with the Registrar’s Office the restriction remains valid until the student, again in writing, rescinds the restriction.

Requests to restrict the release of directory information should be submitted to the Registrar’s Office located in Lohr Hall on the Hickory campus or by mail/fax/scanned document in email to:

Lenoir-Rhyne University
Registrar’s Office
PO Box 7227
Hickory, NC 28603
828.328.7368 (fax)
Registrar@lr.edu

Procedure to Inspect Educational Records

Students simply needing to obtain a copy of their official university transcript may do so online without the completion of a Student Disclosure Form. Current students may request a copy of their official transcript through their secure, online self-service account. Former students may make the request through the National Student Clearinghouse. For more information on requesting a transcript online please visit the Registrar’s website at: http://www.lr.edu/academics/office-of-registrar.

Students have the right to inspect/review their educational records within 45 days of the receipt of the request by Lenoir-Rhyne University. Students must complete and submit a signed Student Disclosure Form indicating the purpose for the release. The Student Disclosure Form is located on the Registrar’s website at: http://www.lr.edu/academics/office-of-registrar.

Students currently enrolled may select a “one-time release” to a specific party (or parties), or they may select “until I complete a new form.” If “until I complete a new form” is selected, the release becomes void once the student graduates or discontinues enrollment. If the student returns to Lenoir-Rhyne at a later date, a new disclosure form must be submitted. Students who are no longer enrolled must select the “one time release” option and a new form must be submitted with each new request.

Requests to inspect/review educational records should be submitted to the Registrar’s Office located in Lohr Hall on the Hickory campus, or by mail/fax/scanned document in email to:

Lenoir-Rhyne University
Registrar’s Office
PO Box 7227
Hickory, NC 28603
828.328.7368 (fax)
Registrar@lr.edu

Lenoir-Rhyne reserves the right to deny copies of records, including transcripts, not required to be made available by FERPA if the student lives within commuting distance of the university, the student has an unpaid financial obligation to the university, or there is an unresolved disciplinary action against the student. Please note that if the student is requesting copies of educational records and is not within commuting distance, the student will be charged a $25 processing fee. There is no cost to any student to simply inspect/review their record.

Notice of Non-Discrimination, Harassment and Anti-Retaliation

Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

The university values and upholds the rights, dignity and respect of faculty, staff, students and visitors and is committed to fair and equal grievance processes that align with applicable state and federal laws and our values as a community.

Lenoir-Rhyne University (LR) is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs and activities that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

LR is committed to creating a safe campus environment for all members of the LR community, including, but not limited to, those who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. To that end, LR does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes and sex characteristics), ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.

Non-Discrimination Regarding Disability

For questions and complaints involving discrimination on the basis of physical or mental disability you should contact:

Deby Mitchell

Director of Disability Services/Section 504 & Title III Coordinator

Lenoir-Rhyne University

Rudisill Library Room 202

625 7th Ave. NE

Hickory, NC 28601

(828) 328-7296

Deborah.Mitchell@lr.edu

Title IX at Lenoir-Rhyne University

As a recipient of federal financial assistance for education activities, Lenoir-Rhyne is required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 to ensure that all of its education programs and activities do not discriminate on the basis of sex/gender, including sex, sex stereotypes, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation and pregnancy or parenting status. 

Sex-based discrimination, sex-based harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking are forms of sex discrimination, which are prohibited under Title IX and by Lenoir-Rhyne. Lenoir-Rhyne also prohibits retaliation against any person participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internal or external to the university. 

Lenoir-Rhyne’s policy is available at at Policies & Procedures | Lenoir-Rhyne University (lr.edu), and includes how to report or file a formal complaint of sex discrimination, harassment, misconduct and/or retaliation, how Lenoir-Rhyne will respond to reports and formal complaints and Lenoir-Rhyne’s formal grievance process and procedures.

Any person may report sex-based discrimination, sex-based harassment, misconduct and/or retaliation at any time (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to have experienced the conduct), including during non-business hours, by contacting the Title IX coordinator or a deputy coordinator in-person, by telephone, email or U.S. mail utilizing the contact information listed for the Title IX coordinator below or by utilizing the reporting function on the university’s Title IX webpage, by going to www.lr.edu/titleix and clicking on “Submit a Report or Formal Complaint.”

Individuals with questions regarding Title IX, including its application, or who want to make a report of sex-based discrimination, sex-based harassment, misconduct and/or retaliation, should contact the Title IX coordinator or a deputy Title IX coordinator below:

Title IX Coordinator

Dr. Leah Reynolds

Director of Compliance/Title IX Coordinator

Lenoir-Rhyne University

Lineberger 104

625 7th Ave. NE

Hickory, NC 28601

(828) 328-7040

leah.reynolds@lr.edu

Deputy Title IX Coordinators

In addition to the Title IX coordinator, individuals may also contact the assistant secretary for civil rights at U.S. Department of Education, Lyndon Baines Johnson Dept. of Education Bldg., 400 Maryland Avenue S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-1100. Telephone/Fax: 800-421-3481; Fax: 202-453-6012; TDD: 800-877-8339; Email: ocr@ed.gov.

Statement on Online Learning

The educational mission of Lenoir-Rhyne University can be achieved in part by offering programs and courses of instruction through online, remote, and distance education (DE). These includes programs and courses approved to be offered online through the university Learning Management System (Canvas) and though videoconference technology (Zoom). Online education may be synchronous or asynchronous. Generally, these fully online programs serve the needs of adult and/or graduate students to enhance accessibility to educational opportunities for individuals with full professional and/or personal lives. They also serve the needs of students who are seeking a program offered by Lenoir-Rhyne but are unable to relocate to one of our campuses. In addition, Lenoir-Rhyne offers some individual courses in synchronous and asynchronous online formats that are available to all students.

Lenoir-Rhyne University considers online learning to be a mode of delivery for instructional content. Therefore, all rules and regulations of Lenoir-Rhyne University that pertain to academic programs apply equally to online learning offerings. Additionally, Lenoir-Rhyne University provides ALL students (whether face-to-face or online) with equitable access to appropriate student and academic facilities and services, e.g. library resources, student support, student life, student grievance procedures, etc.

Regardless of the mode of delivery/modality of the courses or programs, Lenoir-Rhyne University takes pride in providing an educational experience that ensures consistency, challenge and high student engagement. Participating in Lenoir-Rhyne’s online course or program offerings does not mean students sacrifice engagement with their faculty or fellow students, nor do they surrender a challenging and rewarding learning experience. In both our online and traditional classes, our faculty are available to support and to mentor students, and students have incredible opportunities to interact and learn with cohorts from around the country or the world with the same quality that has always been a part of Lenoir-Rhyne’s educational mission.