Welcome to
Vanguard university A Note From Family Relations Dear Families, Welcome to Vanguard! The Office of Family Relations is here to help you through every step of your student’s college experience. Family Relations seeks to offer you the resources you need to encourage and support your student as they continue to grow into adulthood. The University Family Guide is one of these resources, providing you with the information you need at your fingertips. Take the time to familiarize yourself with this handbook. We trust it will be a valuable source of information for you.
The Office of Family Relations invites you to save the date for Family Weekend, October 9–10, 2015. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to see Vanguard through the eyes of your student. Events run Friday night through Saturday night, reserving time for you and your student on Sunday. Contact the Office of Family Relations with questions or for further information. We look forward to seeing you then! Vanguard reserves the right to make changes and periodic updates to this document at any time.
FERPA/Privacy Act In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, Vanguard has established guidelines regarding access to and release of educational records. In short, FERPA allows Vanguard to release “directory information” without consent or knowledge of the students unless the student has notified Vanguard in advance that such information is not to be released. Directory information may include the following: photo, name, address, telephone listing, e-mail address, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, class level, enrollment status, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended. Please see the University Catalog for more detailed information regarding FERPA. Families need to be aware that their student’s
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directory information is not available to them if the student has requested it not be disclosed by requesting “Privacy.” Other information about the student, such as class schedules, grades, and student account balance is not available to families unless the student has signed a written release. If you would like access to your student’s grades or other private information, your student will need to complete a Secondary Access Form and submit the form to the Office of the Registrar. Secondary access release forms can be found on vanguard.edu/registrar under the forms section. records@vanguard.edu (714) 662-5200
Title IX Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states; “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be
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denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” Vanguard is committed to providing a safe and caring environment for all persons. Harassment, discrimination, and retaliation will not be tolerated, and are contrary to the mission and values of the university. In the event of any reported misconduct, the university will take the appropriate steps to eliminate the misconduct, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects. The Director of Residence Life/Title IX Coordinator is the designated university official tasked with providing oversight for the university’s compliance with Title IX. This includes providing education and training, and helping to ensure that the university responds effectively and equitably to all Title IX issues. VUtitleIX@vanguard.edu (714) 556-3610
A student’s life at college goes far beyond the classroom. From housing to chapel, community is our focus.
Additional details on these standards can be found in the Student Handbook, which is available for download online at studentlife.vanguard.edu.
Community Standards
One-third of the undergraduate students at Vanguard live off-campus. Commuting presents unique challenges, so our department offers activities and services that are specially designed to meet commuters’ needs. We have commuter assistants that provide hospitality in the Cove Monday through Thursday and are available to answer any questions.
Vanguard has chosen to call for a voluntary commitment to community expectations, the community standards, as well as compliance with local, state, and federal laws. These guidelines contribute to the moral ethos of Vanguard and are required of community members. It is the responsibility of each student to become familiar with the contents of the Student Handbook, and to abide by the academic, social, and spiritual responsibilities of the members of the Vanguard community.
(714) 662-5273
Commuter Life
More information can be found at vanguard.edu/studentlife/commuter-life. (714) 662-5252
Vanguard exists to honor God and serve others by equipping each student for a Spirit-empowered life of Christ-centered leadership and service. In doing so, Vanguard gathers a community of learners resolved to blend the pursuit of academic excellence with growth as authentic Christians. The educational experience at Vanguard, therefore, promotes the integration of faith, learning, and living. Vanguard believes that scholarship in the arts, sciences, and professional studies illuminated by Christian truth fosters the intellectual development, moral maturity, and spiritual vitality of students. The university values — Truth, Virtue, and Service — express our conviction that learning involves the whole person: head, heart, and hands.
(Campus Life continued on next page)
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ID Card Issuance
Residence Life
Each student is issued an official identification card that must be carried at all times. This card is required for entry into the CafĂŠ and Chapel services in order to receive credit for attendance. The identification card is designed to last the duration of the four academic school years. There is a $25 fee for card replacement, charged to the students account. The Information Technology Department (located in the Technology Services Building at the east end of the campus mall) makes and replaces identification cards.
The Residence Life Office provides a variety of services for on- and off-campus students. In addition to convenience, living on campus offers the benefit of a community of peers, instant access to staff, a safe environment, and support for the challenges associated with being a busy college student. In the residence halls, there is a resident assistant (RA) who lives on each floor. RAs are trained students who are responsible for creating a floor community through hall activities, assisting students with personal and academic concerns, and helping in emergency situations. They should be the first person students seek if they need advice or assistance.
(714) 619-6500
Managing each residence hall is a fulltime professional resident director (RD) or resident coordinator (RC). The RD or RC lives in the building and is responsible for student staff supervision, facilities management, crisis intervention, student discipline, and creating an environment supportive of education and self-discovery. The Housing Coordinator manages the housing system, including check-in and checkout procedures, roommate changes, room keys, initial room placement, board (meal plans), and health insurance. (714) 662-5273
Spiritual Formation The Spiritual Formation Department recognizes that people are created uniquely and therefore experience God in a variety of ways. For this reason we offer traditional morning chapel gatherings Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as well as focused evening chapel experiences Monday (verse by verse study), and Wednesday (studentled worship). All full-time, traditional, undergraduate students (12+ units) are required to obtain 30 Spiritual Formation credits per semester. This includes both commuter and resident students. Students may successfully accumulate 30 Spiritual Formation credits by attending an average of two opportunities per week. Attendance is recorded, and a fine and a hold on their account will result for those who fail to meet requirements. Other opportunities for spiritual growth include the prayer movement, mentoring groups, worship nights, one-on-one counseling, and much more! These policies as well as the chapel calendar can be found on the Spiritual Formation website: studentlife.vanguard. edu/spiritual-formation. (714) 662-5262
Their resident assistant should be the first person students seek if they need advice or assistance. 4
Vanguard University
Campus Public Safety
Emergency Number: (714) 966-6799 You can contact Campus Public Safety: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week The Office of Campus Public Safety is responsible for physical security protection, emergency management services, environmental health and safety, and life safety services for the university. Campus Public Safety personnel patrol the Vanguard property to provide a safe and secure environment for our community. All officers are trained and certified as Level Three Reserve Peace Officers of the State of California and licensed as Security Officers of the California State Bureau of Consumer Affairs. Campus Public Safety requires all student vehicles to be registered and to display a valid parking permit. Failure to register their vehicle and comply with all Vanguard parking regulations will result in a citation, a fine, or the vehicle being towed off
property. To obtain a free parking permit complete the parking permit request form online at services.vanguard.edu/vehicleregistration-form. Campus Public Safety also offers registration for bicycles, which is required by the City of Costa Mesa. Our department can also provide students with a security escort to anywhere on campus including Vanguard Centre, oversees Campus Lost and Found, and can assist students in unlocking their campus room doors. Campus Public Safety personnel take crime and incident reports regarding such things as stolen property, suspicious circumstances, and injuries that happen on Vanguard property. Information regarding crimes on campus is shared with the Costa Mesa Police Department and is compiled for reporting purposes for the Clery Act, which documents crimes on campuses around the country.
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No university is immune to an emergency, therefore, it is important that students, staff, and faculty know what to do. Campus Public Safety provides emergency procedure information at services. vanguard.edu/campus-safety along with providing red emergency preparedness binders in all common areas of the university. Please review these procedures with your student and impress upon them the importance of knowing what to do in an emergency. Vanguard also subscribes to a mass notification system knows as RAVE Alert www.getrave.com/login/vanguard. Please see the Campus Public Safety webpage (services.vanguard.edu/campussafety) for further information on how to manage your student’s account.
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Your student is not alone. Whether they need assistance with writing, guidance as they seek a career, or tutoring we are here to help. Office of Accounting Operations The Office of Accounting Operations (OAO) consists of the Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Purchasing Services departments. It is the main engine for all operational accounting transactions. This office assists students along with families, faculty, and staff, as well as Vanguard’s external customers and vendors by assessing their accounting needs and administering the appropriate services while upholding Vanguard University’s policies and procedures. Accounting
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Operations also manages the University student health insurance enrollment and waiver process. Students and their families will primarily be serviced by the Accounts Receivable team. They provide financial counseling and customer assistance regarding financial registration (which must be completed each semester), payments for tuition, room, board, and other charges, and credit balance disbursements on student accounts. Payments for semester tuition can be made online by logging into the student’s MyBill (located on the MyVU portal) or oncampus in the Cashier’s Office. For more information regarding semester deadlines, tuition costs/billing, and payment information, please visit our Student Center at www.vanguard.edu/ services/student-center. accountsreceivable@vanguard.edu (714) 966-5489
Vanguard University
Bookstore Vanguard Bookstore, powered by Neebo, is proud to serve the students, faculty, and staff of Vanguard. Our primary goal is to ensure students are able to obtain their textbooks and course materials at reasonable prices. In addition to renting all your textbooks, Neebo offers the Best Price Program; find a textbook price cheaper online and we will not only match it but also beat it by 10% (restrictions apply). We are also proud to be your official carrier of Vanguard gifts and gear! To learn more about how Vanguard Bookstore helps students get more college for their money, visit us online at www.neebo.com/lion. (714) 966-6722
Counseling Center The Counseling Center provides free individual counseling to our students. Services provided promote personal growth by assisting students who are dealing with emotional struggles and interpersonal conflicts. Our therapists view personal concerns from behavioral, emotional, and spiritual perspectives according to the needs of each client. Students can make an appointment to see a counselor at the Counseling Center by calling, coming to the office in person, or filing out a request form at www.vanguard. edu/services/request-counseling. counselingcenter@vanguard.edu (714) 662-5256
Career Services Career Services assists students and alumni in the exploration of college majors, employment options, graduate school preparation, and career path decisions. Resources offered include information
about job trends and occupations, personality assessments, and one-on-one counseling. Career Services actively builds relationships with employers in the region to benefit our students. Several fairs are held on campus each year to connect students with prospective employers, graduate school representatives, and volunteer organizations. Events and workshops are offered on vocational preparation, resume assistance, cover letters, interviewing, and networking. On and off-campus jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities can be found at LionsLink. This is available to both students and alumni. To register and begin applying for positions go to vanguard.edu/lionslink. careerservices@vanguard.edu (714) 619-6474 www.vanguard.edu/career (Campus Resources continued on next page)
Our goal is to put the Vanguard experience within the reach of every student by making a Vanguard education affordable to all who want to attend. Direct costs — tuition, room, and board — for 2015– 2016 are $39,060 for a full-time, oncampus student. Additional cost and financial aid information is available online at vanguard.edu/financialaid/coa. All students interested in receiving need-based financial aid must submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by the March 2 priority deadline. The FAFSA is available online at fafsa.gov. Need-based aid with limited allocations and/ or budgets — including VU Need Grant, Perkins Loan, and SEOG — cannot be guaranteed if the FAFSA was submitted after the March 2 priority deadline. This is a firm deadline even for needbased aid previously awarded in 2014–2015. Students may view and accept or decline their financial aid on their MyVU student portal online. Go to www.vanguard.edu/financialaid for additional financial aid information. financialaid@vanguard.edu (714) 966-5490
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Copy Center The Copy Center generates copies and provides digital printing services for the university. Examples of services include: • Black & white and/ or color printing • Stapling • 3-hole punching • Laminating • Folding • Binding • Cutting Pastel, neon, cardstock, and glossy photo paper are available. Acceptable forms of payment are cash or check. To request copies: • Bring hardcopies to the IT Help Desk and fill out a yellow order form or • Submit electronically to the copycenter@vanguard.edu While the Copy Center makes every effort to complete copies on the same day that they are submitted, our official policy is a 24-hour turnaround time which should be kept in mind when submitting requests.
Disability and Learning Services The Office of Disability and Learning Services promotes student success at all achievement levels. To improve academic performance, we offer support to students through study and learning skills development. Through a variety of learning strategies utilized in small group and individual sessions, students will learn valuable skills such as time management, note and test taking strategies, and personal learning styles. In addition, the Office of Disability and Learning Services provides reasonable accommodations for students who need assistance with learning, and for students with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between the student, their professor(s) and Disability and Learning Services. Please contact us if your student has a temporary or permanent disability that requires accommodations (this can include but is not limited to: attention-related, learning, mental health, vision, hearing, physical, or other health impairments). disabilityservices@vanguard.edu (714) 619-6484
The Office of Diversity & Inclusion exists to explore the value of differences through experiential learning in order to increase understanding, promote community, and celebrate diversity. We accomplish this by offering co-curricular educational experiences for the entire campus, campus cultural clubs, monthly dialogues, and mentoring. diversity@vanguard.edu (714) 662-5258
Mail Center The Mail Center (MC) processes and delivers incoming mail and packages and acts as a full-service shipping center for the university. The MC strives to meet the office and logistical needs of students, faculty, and staff in an efficient, economical, and courteous manner. Mail Procedures When addressing a letter or package to your Vanguard student please use the following format: [First name] [Last name] (Please refrain from using nicknames) 55 Fair Dr., [Box Number] Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 662-5298
(714) 662-5296
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Diversity & Inclusion
Vanguard University
Registrar The Office of the Registrar is responsible for the maintenance of student academic records, and will assist with transcript requests, academic registration, course schedule changes, and verification of enrollment. No transcripts and/or diplomas will be released for students with any balance owed on their educational loan (student account) or any past due balance on their Perkins Loan. Questions regarding academic policies may be referred to the Office of the Registrar. (714) 662-5200 www.vanguard.edu/registrar
Tutorial Center and Math Learning Center It is the mission of the Vanguard University Tutorial and Math Learning Centers to promote academic excellence by providing support services to undergraduate students. The Tutorial and Math Learning Centers endeavor to assist students by offering helpful study tips for their requested courses and providing students
with resources that will help them excel at managing their time, as well as noteand test-taking. Tutoring services are provided by Vanguard students who have shown an exemplary ability to facilitate learning for their peers. Students can request a tutor by calling, coming to the center in person, or filing out a request form at vanguard.edu/services/request-tutoring (714) 619-6479 www.vanguard.edu/services/tutorialmath-learning-centers
Veterans Resource Center
Writing Center Writing Center consultants work with Vanguard students one-on-one at any stage in the writing process. Students should bring in writing projects they’re creating, such as expository essays and researched writing. We help students organize notes, develop outlines, revise thesis statements, and work on various aspects of atomistic and holistic revision. Students can make an appointment by calling or coming to the center in person. (714) 556-3610 x4774 services.vanguard.edu/writing-center
The Veterans Resource Center exists to engage student Veterans in the pursuit of academic and personal success. We accomplish this by exercising our foundational core values of Camaraderie (power of shared experience), Honor (respect and appreciation), Service (way of life), Understanding (value of each person’s story), and Faith (rooted in Christian belief and practice). (714) 668-6124 www.vanguard.edu/veterans
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The Cafe Sharing time with friends on campus is an important way to build community. We encourage students to frequent the Cafe and Outtakes to enjoy the full benefits of residential life at Vanguard. Resident students are required to take their meals in the Cafe or get a meal equivalent at Outtakes unless they have received a medical exemption prior to the beginning of the semester and are living in an approved non-boarding room. Commuter plans are also available.
Resident Dining Calendar for Fall 2015–Spring 2016 Friday, August 21 Open for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Monday, September 7 Labor Day Brunch/ Dinner Schedule Tuesday, November 24 Thanksgiving break Close after dinner Monday, November 30 End Thanksgiving break Open at breakfast Friday, December 11 Christmas Holiday Close after dinner Wednesday, January 7 End Christmas Break Brunch/ Dinner Schedule
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Vanguard University
Monday, January 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Brunch/ Dinner Schedule Monday, February 15 President’s Day Holiday Brunch/ Dinner Schedule Friday, March 11 Spring Break Close after lunch Sunday, March 20 End Spring Break Open at brunch Friday, March 25 Good Friday Brunch/ Dinner Schedule Friday, May 6 End Academic Year Close after dinner More detailed information can be found in the Student Handbook under Food Services Policies or on our website cafebonappetit.com/vanguard.
For all extensions, dial the main number first: (714) 556-3610 Vanguard University Administration
Student Services Specialists
Dr. Doretha O’Quinn Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs x 5426 OfficeoftheProvost@vanguard.edu
Krystal Gowens Assistant Director Office of Accounting Operations X 6677 accountsreceivable@vanguard.edu
Dr. Tim Young Vice President for Student Life x 5488 OfficeVPSL@vanguard.edu
Christina Padilla Director of Financial Aid x 6686 financialaid@vanguard.edu Derek Densberger Chief Information Officer x 6505 vucio@vanguard.edu
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Vanguard University
Campus Public Safety Paul Turgeon Director of Campus Public Safety x 6161 paul.turgeon@vanguard.edu
Career Services Kimberly Greene Coordinator of Career Planning x 6474 careerservices@vanguard.edu
Counseling Center Doug Hutchinson, M.S. LMFT Director of Counseling Services x 6481 counselingcenter@vanguard.edu
Disability and Learning Services Kerry Kimble Assistant Director of Disability and Learning Services X 6483 disabilityservices@vanguard.edu
Diversity & Inclusion April Harris Director of Diversity & Inclusion x 5281 diversity@vanguard.edu
Residence Life/Housing Staff Lexy Benoit Gioielli Director of Residence Life/ Title IX Coordinator x 5271 OfficeofRL@vanguard.edu
Student Success Amanda Lebrecht Director Student Success and Family Relations x 6486 studentsuccess@vanguard.edu
Nicole Givenrod Housing Coordinator x 5275 housingoffice@vanguard.edu
Spiritual Formation Rev. Jonathan Allbaugh Dean of Spiritual Formation/University Pastor x 5262 spiritualformation@vanguard.edu
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Calendar
FALL 2015
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August 3
Financial Registration Deadline
August 21–23
New Student Orientation
August 24
Classes Begin
September 4
Last day to add or drop a new course/ receive 100% tuition refund/ waive health insurance/ change meal plan
September 7
Labor Day Holiday
September 18
Last day to receive 50% refund
October 9–10
Family Weekend
October 16
Last day to withdraw from a course without academic penalty/ receive 25% tuition refund
October 19–23
Mandatory floor meetings: Spring Housing
November 9–13
Academic Registration for continuing students
November 25–27
Thanksgiving Break
November 30 – December 4
Mandatory floor meetings: Christmas Break
December 8–11
Final Exams Week
December 11 (7 p.m.)
Fall Housing Closed
December 24 – January 1
Offices closed for Christmas and New Year Holiday
Vanguard University
SPRING 2016 January 4
Financial Registration Deadline
January 8
New Students Arrive
January 9–10
New Student Orientation
January 9 (9 a.m.–2 p.m.) & 10 (Noon–5 p.m.)
Returning students key returns
January 11
Classes begin
January 18
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, No classes, Offices closed
January 22
Last day to add or drop a new course/ receive 100% tuition refund/ waive health insurance/ change meal plan
February 5
Last day to receive 50% refund
February 15
President’s Holiday, No classes, Offices closed
March 2
FAFSA priority deadline
March 4
Last day to withdraw from a course without academic penalty/ receive 25% tuition refund
March 14–18
Spring Break
March 23–24
Housing Registration for continuing students ($300 deposit)
March 25
Good Friday, No classes, Offices closed
April 11–15
Academic Registration for continuing students
April 25–29
Mandatory floor meeting: Spring Check-outs
May 2
Last day to cancel housing and receive Housing Deposit refund
May 2–5
Final Exams Week
May 5
Baccalaureate
May 6
Commencement
May 6 (7 p.m.)
Spring Housing closed for non-graduating students
May 7 (5 p.m.)
Spring Housing closed for graduating seniors
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About this Guide
For more information, please contact Vanguard University Family Relations (714) 619-6486 familyrelations@vanguard.edu
UniversityParent has published this guide in partnership with Vanguard University with the mission of helping you easily navigate your student’s university with the most timely and relevant information available. Discover more articles, tips and local business information by visiting the online guide at: www.universityparent.com/vanguard
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