About Piedmont College

Academic Calendar

This catalog describes an academic calendar for Piedmont College that consists of two 16-week semesters and one 8-week summer semester. The requirements in this catalog apply to students entering Piedmont in the 2018-2019 academic year (Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Summer 2019). An official copy of the academic calendar can be found on the Piedmont College website at www.piedmont.edu/registrar.

Accreditation

Piedmont College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Com- mission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, 404-679-4500, or at http://www.sacscoc.org for questions about the accreditation of Piedmont College, to file third-party comments, or to file a complaint against the institution for alleged non-compliance. Normal inquiries about the institution, such as, admission requirements, financial aid, or educational programs should be addressed to the college and not to the Commission.

All teacher education programs offered by Piedmont College, as they appear in its published catalog, have the approval of the Professional Standards Commission of the State of Georgia. Authority to recommend for certification rests with the Dean of the School of Education.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) Inc., 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta GA 30326, 1-800-669-1656. (www.acenursing.org).

The Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100 Austin, TX 78731-3184 ( 512-733-9700) (https://caate.net/).

The Cardiovascular Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and monitored by the Joint Review Commission on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT), 25400 US Hwy 19 N, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763 (727-210-2350) (www.caahep.org).

The Walker School of Business is nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) for undergraduate and graduate business programs.

For information regarding the procedure for obtaining or reviewing documents describing accreditation, approval, or licensing, please contact the following office: Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs – 706-778-3000.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Piedmont College has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of diversity within its faculty, staff, and students.

Piedmont College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, or religion. Inquiries concerning this statement should be directed to:

For any inquires or complaints regarding disability non-discrimination, including compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973:

Human Resources 1021 Central Avenue Daniel Hall – Room 213 P.O. BOX 10 Demorest, GA 30535 (706) 778-3000 hr@piedmont.edu

A report may also be made to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights:

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Civil Rights

400 Maryland Ave., SW

Washington, D.C. 20202-1328

1-800-421-3481

Email Address: ocr@ed.gov

Web: http://www.ed.gov/ocr

Private Property Rights

Georgia law provides the owners of private property with the right to regulate the possession of firearms. Students, faculty, staff, and the general public are forbidden from having firearms, fireworks, explosives or explosive devices, or other weapons on college property. This includes the storage of such devices in automobiles parked on college property. Exception is made for licensed public safety officials in the employ of the college and for licensed public safety officers from other jurisdictions who are on college property in the discharge of their official duties.

Student Complaints

A. Student Complaints:  Students who have a concern or complaint may pursue such grievance by submitting it in writing according to the procedure listed below. 

Academic:

(Note: If the issue is related to a Grade Appeal, please see the Grade Appeals policy.)

1. Any student filing a complaint must first attempt to resolve it by consulting with the involved faculty or staff member.
2. Concerns related to a faculty or staff member that cannot be resolved between the two parties should be presented to the department chair. 
3. If the concern cannot be resolved by the department chair or is related to the department chair, the complaint should be filed with the dean of the school. 
4. Academic resolutions made by a dean are considered final unless the complaint is related to the dean of the school.  In such case, the complaint should be filed with the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
5. If the concern cannot be resolved by or relates to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, appropriate written documentation should be presented to the President of the College.

Non-Academic:

1. Any student with a complaint must first attempt to resolve it by consulting with the involved staff member or office.
2. Concerns related to a staff member or office that cannot be resolved between the two parties should be discussed with the respective director or dean of the unit.
3. Resolutions made by a director or dean are considered final unless the complaint is related to the director or dean.  In such case, the complaint should be filed with the Vice President for responsibility over the unit.
4. Should the concern not be resolved by or is related to the Vice President, appropriate documentation should be presented in writing to the President of the College.

B. Discrimination and Harassment:  Piedmont College is committed to creating and sustaining an educational and working environment free of discrimination and harassment of all types.  Any complaints regarding discrimination or harassment should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at titleIX@piedmont.edu.  An Anonymous Tip Line is also provided on the Campus Safety website as a means by which students, faculty, staff or community members may relay information anonymously for investigation. 

C. Complaints against the Institution:  By Executive Order from the Governor of the State of Georgia, the Georgia Non-Public Postsecondary Education Commission is designated as the state agency responsible for receiving complaints made by students enrolled in private postsecondary institutions. (Contact information: Georgia Non-Public Postsecondary Education Commission, 2082 East Exchange Place Suite 220, Tucker, Georgia 30084-5305. Office: (770) 414-3300.)

Concerns or complaints relating to compliance or accreditation should be addressed to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033.  Office: (770-679-4500).

Student Responsibility

Information in this catalog is accurate as of the date of publication. Piedmont College reserves the right to make changes in policies, regulations, and charges giving due notice in accordance with sound academic and fiscal practice. It is the responsibility of students to be informed about regulations and procedures as stated in this catalog. While advisors, faculty members, and academic deans are available to assist students in meeting degree requirements, students have the primary responsibility of being familiar with and completing their chosen course of study.

Grievances

All employees and students have the right to enjoy a campus environment that is free from sexual harassment, gender discrimination, or sexual misconduct. 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 denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”  Violators of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when they involve any of these conditions:

1.  Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or a student's status in a course, program, or activity;

2.  Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an employee or student is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting that employee or student;

3.  Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an employee's work performance or a student's academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment, educational, or living environment.

A member of the faculty, staff, or student body has the right to report sexual harassment to the Title IX Coordinator or the Director of Human Resources at:

Coordinator for Title IX                                              Human Resources

1021 Central Avenue                                                  1021 Central Avenue

Daniel Hall – Room 220                                              Daniel Hall – Room 213

P.O. BOX 10                                                                 P.O. BOX 10

Demorest, GA  30535                                                 Demorest, GA  30535

(706) 778-3000 ext. 1457                                           (706) 778-3000

Titleix@piedmont.edu                                                hr@piedmont.edu

The Title IX Coordinator, in consultation with investigators and other advisors, shall appoint a grievance committee.  The committee will hear the grievance and advise the Title IX Coordinator of its recommendation for resolution in a fair, impartial and timely manner.  The Title IX Coordinator will notify the complainant and the respondent, in writing, of the decision.   

Any faculty member or member of the staff who believes that her or his rights have been invaded or ignored by a member of the faculty, staff, or by a student has the right to present a grievance to the Title IX Coordinator or the Director of Human Resources at:

Coordinator for Title IX                                              Human Resources

1021 Central Avenue                                                  1021 Central Avenue

Daniel Hall – Room 220                                              Daniel Hall – Room 213

P.O. BOX 10                                                                 P.O. BOX 10

Demorest, GA  30535                                                 Demorest, GA  30535

(706) 778-3000 ext. 1457                                           (706) 778-3000

Titleix@piedmont.edu                                                hr@piedmont.edu

The Title IX Coordinator, in consultation with investigators and other advisors, shall appoint a grievance committee to hear the grievance.  The committee will hear the grievance and advise the Title IX Coordinator of its recommendation in a fair, impartial and timely manner.  The Title IX Coordinator will notify the grievant and the respondent, in writing, of the decision.

Unsatisfied parties may appeal to the President, who will appoint a special committee to hear and decide a resolution for the grievance in a fair, impartial and timely manner.  The decision of the special committee is final.

Piedmont College prohibits retaliation against any individual who files a complaint regarding discrimination, including sexual harassment, violence or misconduct or is involved in the complaint process.  Retaliation includes any adverse action or act of revenge against an individual for filing or encouraging one to file a complaint of discrimination, participating in an investigation of discrimination, or opposing discrimination. 

The College will take immediate and responsive action to any report of retaliation and will pursue disciplinary action as appropriate.

  An Anonymous Tip Line is also provided on the Campus Safety website as a means by which students, faculty, staff or community members may relay information anonymously for investigation.