Academic Services

A withdrawal on a student’s record will be reviewed by the FinancialAid andBusiness Offices on a case-by-case basis to assure that no student called to military duty will be financiallypenalized as a result of military responsibilities. The notice of call to active duty is to be submitted prior to the student leaving the University.

Course Cancellation

The Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs reserves the right to cancel scheduled classes for which there is excessively low enrollment or other substantial reason.

Program Changes

The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College reserve the right to make changes in programs, policies, and fees. Students enrolled in academic programs may expect to complete the courses as specified in the Catalog of the year of their first enrollment if the program is completed within five years, or they may choose to graduate under the Catalog in effect for the year in which they graduate. If the program is not completed within five years, students will meet requirements of the Catalog in effect. Every effort is made to minimize course and program changes.Astudent cannot combine the graduation requirements of two or more Catalogs.

Transferring from Rio

The University of Rio Grande is regionally accredited so in general credit should be accepted when transferred; however, receiving institutions make their own determinations regarding acceptance and applicability of credit. It is a student’s responsibility to check the transferability of their Rio credit to a new institution.

Transcript Requests

Unofficial transcripts are available at no charge; however, a completed request form must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar. The request forms are available at the Reardon One-Stop located in Florence Evans Hall. Students may also access an unofficial transcript through Student Space. Unofficial transcripts cannot be emailed.

Official transcripts: The University of Rio Grande has partnered with The National Student Clearinghouse to accept transcript orders online. The request for an official transcript can be completed via the following link: http://tsorder.studentclearinghouse.org/school/ficecode/0031 1600 Any questions regarding transcript requests should be directed to the Office of the Registrar via email at records@rio.edu or via phone – 740-245-7369.

UniversityAssessment Plan

One principal question of major concern and focus helps guide the UniversityAssessment Program in determining how well students meet the goals and objectives articulated in the University’s mission statement:

Are students at the University of Rio Grande acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to become educated citizens and successful professionals within their chosen course of study in an increasing global society?

To answer this question, the UniversityAssessment Program will continue to implement a variety of assessment activities in the General Education Program and major fields.All students are expected to participate in such activities in order to obtain information as a primary method for the University to further enhance student learning and improve educational programs and instruction.

ACADEMIC SERVICES

Davis Library and Learning Commons (DLLC)

Davis Library and Learning Commons (DLLC) provides different academic support service by using a community or “commons” model to foster and promote a more unified and user-friendly teaching and learning experience for the Rio Grande campus community. Housed together within the Jeanette Albiez Davis Library’s building, the Jenkins Academic Center with its tutoring and writing assistance services, the Office of Accessibility, the Print Shop, the Office of Publications, and the Campus Computing and Networking (CCN) IT Help Desk work in conjunction with traditional library resources and services to offer a one-stop center where a variety of educational activities can seamlessly transpire. Each of the building’s three floors offer engaging spaces for either quiet study or social gathering; individual reflection or group collaborations; and one-onone assistance or classroom instruction. Computer workstations, printing, copying, scanning, and other technology equipment, resources and services allow for the exploration and creation of knowledge and information. Here are some additional details on some of the key academic support service providers that make up DLLC:

JeanetteAlbiez Davis Library

Davis Library supports Rio Grande’s mission and vision by providing access to high-quality resources and services designed to meet the information and research needs of both the campus and larger community.

Centrally located on Rio Grande’s Main Campus, Davis Library maintains a substantial collection of print and nonprint items designed to support Rio Grande’s curriculum. This collection includes books, DVDs, magazines, newspapers, both print and electronic journals, full-text research databases, eBooks, and more. The collection is not limited to those individuals associated with the Main Campus and are also available to our students, faculty, and

staff working online and/or at each of Rio Grande’s Regional Centers.

As a participant in the United States Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), Davis Library guarantees public access to its in-house Government Documents holdings as well as free assistance to those seeking government information online. Consequently, we are strongly committed to actively serving our community patron needs in addition to those of our more traditional library users.

Membership in the Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK), a statewide academic library consortium, gives Rio Grande students, faculty, and staff remote access to a variety of library materials from across the state. OhioLINK’s online request and courier delivery system helps to expand the Davis Library’s collection. Items found at other libraries are made available for our patrons to borrow and items found on the Davis Library’s shelves are loaned out to patrons from other member institutions. OhioLINK participation also gives Rio Grande students, faculty, and staff 24/7 access to a wealth of electronic scholarly resources and other digital content both on and offcampus.

Many of Davis Library services and resources are available online. Electronic research guides (LibGuides) are used to help organize and share access to much of the library’s digital content. Research help is available in-person at the Reference Desk located on the building’s Main Floor or online via our instant messaging/chat services or by email at: refdesk@rio.edu. Library assistance is also available by phone at 740- 245-7005 or text at 740-299-2ASK (740-2992275).

Several textbooks used for Rio Grande’s General Education Program classes are offered for two-hour on-site use loan periods at the Circulation Desk, which is also located on the building’s Main Floor. Other items found within the Davis Library’s in-house collection can be borrowed at the Circulation Desk as well for longer periods and take-home use. The Circulation Desk is where Course Reserve items and materials requested via OhioLINK, or our traditional Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services can be picked up and checked out too.

Besides information resources, the library makes Group Study Rooms available for checkout. These collaborative spaces are located on the building’s Top Floor and can be accessed for free on a first come, first served basis. A photo ID should be presented at the Circulation Desk when signing up to use these spaces. Patrons are expected to keep Group Study Rooms in good condition. Abuse of facilities, equipment, and/or any failure to uphold campus behavior or fire code rules will result in fines and/or disciplinary action.

DLLC Open Lab computer workstations equipped with printer and Internet access and Microsoft Office® software are found on both the building’s Main and Ground Floors. This equipment is also made freely available to Rio Grande students and other DLLC guests.

Each semester and for the entire summer, students actively enrolled in classes are provided with 400 free grayscale computer printouts, which are linked to their RioNet accounts. This printing allowance does not rollover from term-to-term. Each time a printout is made using campus equipment or personal devices using Rio Grande’s Mobile printing services (print.rio.edu), it is deducted from the student’s RioNet account no matter where the item is printed. (Please note that DLLC guests are only eligible for up to twenty free printouts per visit.)

If additional printouts are needed, they can be purchased using cash from the Circulation Desk at five cents ($0.05) per printed page or with a credit card from the Business Office located next door to the DLLC in Florence Evans Hall. Purchased printouts will rollover to the next term and will be added to the 400 free grayscale computer printout allowance at the start of each semester or summer classes. (Please note that color prints, photocopies, and Print Shop services are not included in or applicable to the 400 free grayscale computer printout allowance.)

Free Wi-Fi service is offered throughout the building for those wanting to connect with the Internet using their own devices. Technology assistance and troubleshooting is available from the Campus Computing and Networking (CCN) IT Help Desk, which shares space with the Davis Library’s Reference Desk on the building’s Main Floor.

For complete details, visit the Davis Library’s Website at: library.rio.edu.

IT Help Desk

Sharing space with the Reference Desk on DLLC’s Main Floor, the Campus Computing and Networking (CCN) IT Help Desk provides Rio Grande students, faculty and staff with a centralized point of contact for technical support services. Whether the problem is email, your RioNet account, or another technical issue, the IT Help Desk is available to assist with support and troubleshooting, and expert consulting or referral for advanced questions.

The IT Help Desk may be reached by phone 740-245-7463 at is staffed Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for walk-up services. After hours assistance is also available by email at: support@rio.edu.

Loaner Laptop Program

The student laptop loaner program is available to any active student. To capitalize on this program, students need to see the Helpdesk Manager in their office on the main floor of the Davis Library. Students who utilize loaner computers will be able to use them until one week after finals are over. After

this time, they will need to return the laptop to the Helpdesk. If students wish to continue using the loaner computers for the subsequent semester, they must simply inform the Helpdesk Manager that they intend to do so, and their contract can be renewed. If a student; loses, damages beyond repair, or doesn't return a laptop, they are required to pay for the value of the machine.

The MichaelV. and Flora Jenkins Academic Center

The Jenkins Academic Center focuses on providing tutoring services, writing assistance and basic academic skill support to any student enrolled at the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College at no additional charge. Located on DLLC’s Ground Floor, the Jenkins Academic Center also houses the DLLC’s large open computer lab, which offers several computer workstations equipped with specialized software and printer and Internet access.

In addition to two full time learning support specialists to assist students with their academic studies, the Jenkins Academic Center’s tutoring program also employs student tutors and is nationally certified by the College Reading and Learning Association at both Level I/ Regular and Level II/Advanced.

The Jenkins Academic Center may be reached by email at: jenkinscenter@rio.edu

The Office of Accessibility

Any student with a qualifying disability who wished to receive reasonable accommodations for classroom and/or resident life must register and complete the intake process with the Office of Accessibility in order to receive accommodation services.

The Office of Accessibility offers the following types of accommodations:

ADA Accommodations - In accordance with the standards set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be provided to a student who already has an established qualifying disability. This includes any student who was under an IEP and/or 504 plans while in the K12 system. This also includes any student who has recent documentation or verification of an existing qualifying disability and who wishes to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA.

Conditional Accommodations - When a student has a suspected qualifying disability, conditional accommodations may be requested while the verification or documentation for the qualifying disability is being obtained. Conditional accommodations are valid only for a brief time while the verification paperwork is being completed and are offered only at the discretion of the Office of Accessibility. Since conditional accommodations are contingent upon receipt of the verification documents these accommodations may be revoked if the verification is not completed or does not qualify the student for services.

Temporary Accommodations - For a student experiencing a temporary disabling condition, temporary accommodations may be requested for the time during which the student will be disabled. Temporary accommodations require verification from a provider, are contingent upon the feasibility of applicable use, and are intended to be valid for only a limited time frame.

ESL Accommodations - For a student who is not a native speaker of English, ESL accommodations may be requested that include accommodations such as additional test taking time, and, depending on the situation, use of a translating device. All ESL related accommodations must be requested and processed through the Office of Accessibility.

Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Accommodations Emotional Support Animals are allowed on campus as a curtesy, but with restrictions. All requests for ESAs must be approved by housing prior to being approved and processed by the Office of Accessibility. Additional paperwork is required and permission to have an ESA on campus may be revoked at any time in accordance with the ESA agreement that must be signed by the student.

Located on DLLC’s Ground Floor in the Academic Support Services’ suite, the Office of Accessibility may be reached by phone at 740-245-7366, or through email at: accessibility@rio.edu.

Print Shop

Located on the DLLC’s Ground Floor, the Print Shop serves both the campus and wider community by providing a full range of printing and production services.

If color prints, large orders of multiple copies, binding, lamination, or specialize publications such as posters, banners, fliers, brochures, etc. are needed, the Print Shop works with individuals or departments to complete those projects. Payment for Print Shop services can be set up to bill individuals, businesses, campus or local organizations, and/or campus departments. For more details, visit: https://www.rio.edu/print-shop/.

Office of Publications

Also located on the building’s Ground Floor is the Office of Publications, which is available to assist the members of the campus community with their graphic or publication design needs.

The Office of Publications helps to ensure that any materials promoting Rio Grande related activities, logo, or brand