Academic Programs, Honors, Colleges, and Departments

Special Programs

Washington Semester

As juniors or seniors, students may be able to spend a semester in specialized study of American government and public policy at the American University in Washington, D.C. Detailed information on program opportunities and requirements as well as applications are available from the program advisor, Dr. Ron Lee, 815-226-4077; e-mail: rlee@rockford.edu.

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars

Through Rockford University’s affiliation with the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, students can secure internships at any of the thousands of organizations – governmental, for-profit and nonprofit – with which the center maintains ties. The University grants the credit and reviews the student’s work to determine the final course grade, while the center provides placement, supervision, academic courses and housing, all at a reasonable cost. All majors may apply. More information is available through Rockford University’s liaison with the center, Dr. Catherine Forslund, 815-394-5211, e-mail: cforslund@rockford.edu.

Academic Honor Societies

Chi Alpha Sigma

Chi Alpha Sigma is the first national scholar-athlete society to honor those collegiate student-athletes who have excelled in both the classroom and in athletic competition. Chi Alpha Sigma recognizes college students who receive a varsity letter in their sport while maintaining a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA throughout their junior and/or senior years. Rockford University is 1 of 284 national members and is 1 of 17 member institutions in the state of Illinois.

The governing board represents all levels of competition in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Its purposes are as follows:

1. To encourage and reward high academic scholarship of college athletes at four-year accredited colleges and universities;
2. To recognize outstanding academic achievement by intercollegiate varsity letter winners;
3. To encourage good citizenship, moral character, and friendship among the high academic achievers in college athletics;
4. To recognize and honor the individual athlete, his/her team, sport, athletic department, and college or university;
5. To mentor and to provide leadership to other athletes.

Omicron Delta Epsilon

The Rockford University chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international Economics honorary society, was installed in 1975. The society is dedicated to recognizing outstanding scholastic achievement in economics, and encouraging closer ties between students and faculty within the discipline.

Phi Alpha Theta

Phi Alpha Theta International Honor Society in History installed a chapter at Rockford University in 1987. The society is dedicated to the recognition of outstanding achievement in history. Membership requires at least 12 semester hours of history with a grade point average greater than 3.0, and a minimum 3.0 grade point average overall. More information is available from the chapter’s advisor, Dr. Catherine Forslund, e-mail: cforslund@rockford.edu or at https://www.rockford.edu/academics/departments/history/phialphatheta/

Phi Beta Kappa

The Eta of Illinois chapter of Phi Beta Kappa (PBK), a national scholastic honor society, was installed at Rockford University in 1953. It is one of only 11 PBK chapters in the state of Illinois. Election to PBK is the highest academic honor an undergraduate student can receive. Each year during the spring semester, faculty and staff members of PBK review the work of those students eligible for consideration. Election into the society is based on grade point average, good character, and course work demonstrating a clear commitment to the liberal arts. In order to be a member, a student must have taken courses in the areas of literature, history or classical civilization, natural sciences and mathematics, philosophy or social sciences, foreign language, and history or theory of an art form. Senior candidates for all degrees who meet the above criteria and have been in residence at the university for at least four semesters are eligible for election. For details, see the University website at https://www.rockford.edu/academics/pbk/

Phi Sigma Iota

The Beta Epsilon chapter of Phi Sigma Iota, a national honorary foreign language society, was installed at Rockford University in 1991. Membership is open to students of modern and classical languages and literature who meet the criteria of the national constitution and local bylaws.

Psi Chi

Psi Chi is the international honor society in psychology. The purpose of Psi Chi is to encourage, stimulate and maintain excellence in scholarship and advance the science of psychology. http://www.rockford.edu/academics/departments/psychology/psichi/

Sigma Beta Delta

Sigma Beta Delta is a national honor society in business, management, and administration. The purpose of Sigma Beta Delta is to encourage and promote personal and professional improvement and a life distinguished by honorable service to humankind. Business students of the junior, senior, or master’s class ranked in the upper 20 percent of the class are eligible to be invited to membership by the faculty officers.

Sigma Xi

Sigma Xi is the honor society of research scientists and engineers. It is an international, multidisciplinary society whose programs and activities promote the health of the scientific enterprise, reward excellence in scientific research and encourage a sense of companionship and cooperation among scientists in all fields.

Accreditation

Rockford University is a private, independent, coeducational university providing courses of study leading to baccalaureate and master’s degrees. The academic programs of students are based on a foundation of learning in the liberal arts and sciences that is extended through professional and experiential opportunities. The University emphasizes excellence in teaching, and has a strong commitment to scholarly activity, creative expression and community service. The educational program is characterized by a concern for the needs of all students, and reflects the basic human rights and responsibilities of a democratic society.

Rockford University is a charter member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Accreditation was reviewed by the Higher Learning Commission in 2016 and is renewed annually. The University also is a member of the Association of American Colleges, the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities, the College Entrance Examination Board, the College Scholarship Service, the American Council on Education, and the Council of Independent Colleges. The American Chemical Society accredits the Rockford University Chemistry program; the Accreditation Commission for Education accredits Nursing; the teacher licensure program is subject to approval by the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Business Administration program is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

The Higher Learning Commission

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

30 North LaSalle St, Ste. 2400Chicago IL 60602-2504

800-621-7440

www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850

Atlanta, GA 30326

404-975-5000

www.acenursing.org

American Chemical Society

1155 Sixteenth St. NW

Washington, DC 20036

Phone: 800-333-9511

E-mail: service@acs.org; www.acs.org

Illinois State Board of Education

Division of Preparation and Evaluation

100 N. First St.

Springfield, IL 62777-0001

217-782-4321

www.isbe.net

International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education

P.O. Box 25217

Overland Park, KS 66225

913-631-3009

E-mail: iacbe@grapevine.net

Diversity Statement

Rockford University believes diversity in the student body, faculty and staff is an important component in providing a quality education. Diversity enriches the educational experience by encouraging dialogues among people with different experiences, beliefs and perspectives. It promotes personal growth and a healthy society. Diversity challenges stereotyped preconceptions; it encourages critical thinking. By helping to build communities whose members are judged by the quality of their character and their contributions, diversity strengthens communities and the workplace.

Non-Discrimination Notice

The University adheres to all federal and state civil rights laws banning discrimination in institutions of higher education including Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Illinois Human Rights Act. The University will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student or applicant for admission on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, veteran or military status (including special disabled veteran, Vietnam-era veteran, or recently separated veteran), predisposing genetic characteristics or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any resolution process within the University or with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or other human rights agencies.

This Statement covers non-discrimination in employment and in access to educational opportunities. Therefore, any member of the University community, guest or visitor who acts to deny, deprive or limit the educational, employment, residential and/or social access, benefits and/or opportunities of any member of the campus community on the basis of their actual or perceived membership in the protected classes listed above is in violation of University policy on non-discrimination. When brought to the attention of the University, any such discrimination will be appropriately remedied by the University according to its procedures.

The Compliance and Title IX Coordinator is available to students and employees as an immediate resource for discrimination issues.

Dr. Randy Worden, Compliance and Title IX Coordinator (Senior Title IX Officer)

Office: Student Life Office Suite, 1st floor Burpee Student Center (next to Den)

Phone: 815-226-5298 / E-Mail: TitleIXCoordinator@rockford.edu

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

What is FERPA?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 helps protect the privacy of student education records. The Act provides for the right to inspect and review education records, the right to seek to amend those records and to limit disclosure of information from the records. The intent of the legislation is to protect the rights of students and to ensure the privacy and accuracy of education records. The Act applies to all institutions that are the recipients of federal aid administered by the Secretary of Education, including Rockford University.

Information on student rights is outlined in the FERPA Notification to Students. Although Rockford University does not publish a Student Directory, it does define "directory information" in keeping with the requirements of FERPA. For more information about what directory information is and what is included in Rockford University’s definition, see the section below regarding Directory Information.

Notification to Students of Rights under Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

FERPA provides students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Registrar written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University official responsible for the record will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate. Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate.

   If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

   One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including Security personnel and Wellness Center staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

   A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

   There exists the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Rockford University to comply with the requirement of FERPA.

The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:

Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20202-5920

Directory Information

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), a federal law, requires that Rockford University, with certain exceptions, obtain a student’s written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information in their education records. However, Rockford University may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless a student has advised Rockford University to the contrary in accordance with University procedures. Designating certain information as "directory information" allows the University to include this type of information from student education records in certain publications, without violating their right to privacy. Examples include but are not limited to:

• A playbill, showing a student’s role in a drama production;
• Dean's List or other recognition lists;
• Commencement program;
• Sports program, such as for basketball, showing weight and height of team members.

Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without prior written consent. Rockford University has designated the following information as directory information:

• Student’s name
• Address (home, local, e-mail)
• Telephone listings
• Degrees, honors, and awards received
• Date of birth
• Major field of study
• Dates of attendance
• Current Enrollment Status
• The most recent educational agency or institution attended
• Class level
• Anticipated graduation date
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Athletic rosters (name, weight and height)
• Photograph/video for University and other publications

If students do not want Rockford University to disclose directory information from their education records without prior written consent, they must contact Student Administrative Services (SAS) as soon as possible to discuss this option. Please consider very carefully the consequences of the decision to withhold directory information. Such requests are binding for all information to all non-institutional persons or organizations other than for educational purposes for the duration of enrollment at Rockford University. This includes the omission of a student’s name from any list of student names published by Rockford University, including the Dean's List and the Commencement program.

Rockford University will honor student requests to withhold directory information but cannot assume responsibility to contact students for subsequent permission to release their information. Regardless of the effect upon them, Rockford University assumes no liability as a result of honoring student instructions that such information be withheld.

Prior written consent from students is needed before records can be disclosed to third parties unless they are exempted from the law. Exemptions include:

• school officials (any person who is a trustee, officer, agent or employee of Rockford University including students serving on university committees where legitimate “need to know” exists) to use information contained in students' educational records to complete an assigned task that is an employment responsibility for the requestor or is properly assigned subject matter for the requestor’s employment or committee responsibility;
• requests in accordance with a lawful subpoena or court order;
• representatives of agencies or organizations from which students have received financial assistance;
• to others specifically exempted from prior consent requirement of the act (including certain federal and state officials, organizations conducting student surveys on behalf of the University, accrediting organizations, etc.);
• requests for "directory information";
• parents of dependent students (as determined by the Financial Aid Office according to IRS regulations);
• United States Office of Immigration and Naturalization Service (for international students only);
• emergencies where the information is necessary to protect the health and safety of the student or others.