The Loras Environment

Miller Academic Resource Center

The Miller Academic Resource Center opened in 2002 and houses the Loras College Library, the Center for Dubuque History and the archives of Loras College, the Learning Commons [which includes the Writing Center, offices for the Honors Program, and the Lynch Learning Center], the Center for Learning and Teaching, and the Barnes and Noble bookstore.

Loras Library

An integral part of any strong academic program is an excellent library. The Loras College Library, located in the Miller Academic Resource Center, fulfills this purpose at Loras. Students, faculty, staff, and administrators alike are served by the extensive research and study facilities.

The Library’s collections provide access to 300,000+ books, 130,000+ eBooks, 39,000+ online periodicals, 100+ electronic databases, a variety of DVDs and popular reading items, a document depository for both the United States government and the State of Iowa, and an excellent collection of rare books and other unique items in its Special Collections.

The Loras Library houses group study rooms for students engaged in collaborative learning, private study rooms for concentrated, uninterrupted work, and different kinds of seating including couches, comfy chairs, tables, study carrels, and three classrooms. As part of a laptop campus, the library offers a networked printer, 4 desktop computers, scanners, a photocopier, and laptop power cords and external DVD drives to borrow.

Librarians provide assistance with getting started with a paper, finding the right database and search strategies, finding sources and online Research Guides for every major. It is possible to get in touch with a librarian by scheduling an appointment through email, chat, or phone.

DuTech Services

Loras College Specific 1:1 Technology Services

Loras College offers robust technology services to all students. As a Loras student, you will receive technology services along with a personal Loras College leased laptop with accompanying warranty and accidental damage coverage, along with access to: networks, wireless internet, software, major-specific technology labs, printers, help desk, and network support.

Services

• Up-to-Date: Loras laptops are replaced every two years
• Warranty and Accidental Damage Protection: Loras provides this coverage
• Standardization: All Loras laptops and systems are standardized
  • Easy to share documents are included
  • Updates are automatically provided

Network

Loras College offers wireless network access in all of the classrooms, in the Miller Academic Resource Center, in the labs, in campus-owned houses, in all residence halls, and in common areas on campus. Simply stated, wireless internet access is available in approximately 99% of the indoor locations on campus. Every residence hall room has 1 Gbps switched Ethernet connections as well as wireless connectivity. Most technology resources are available off campus via the internet as well as on campus.

• 24x7 Network Access: To Academic Systems, Programs, Software, and Server Storage
• Campus-wide Wireless: Internet Access 24 x 7
• Network Equipment: Servers, SAN, Firewall, Security Equipment, and Software

Resources

In addition to the laptop, all students have access to:

• ELearn (course management solution)
• Anti-virus Software
• Network Web space to create personal web pages (for specific classes)
• Microsoft Office 365 (featuring access anywhere, anytime, on any device)
• Many major-specific software solutions and free upgrades
• SPSS for statistics
• Outlook web for email

Nondiscrimination Policies: Race, Disability, Gender

Loras College admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Loras College does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of qualified disability or gender in its admission or access to, or treatment of, or employment in its educational programs or activities. Loras College is required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and by Title IX, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 not to discriminate in such a manner.

Inquiries concerning the application of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to Loras College may be referred to Coordinator, Box 124, Loras College, or to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Loras College is in compliance with the Equal Employment Opportunity laws as required by the state of Iowa and the federal government. Loras College does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, age, nationality, ethnic origin or handicapping condition in the educational programs which it operates or in its employment policies, practice and procedures. Inquiries regarding Equal Employment Opportunity may be addressed to the EEO Officer, Box 119, Loras College.

Student Right-to-know and Campus Security

Loras College is in compliance with the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act (Federal Law 101-542/State House File 2028). A written policy addressing the areas of counseling, campus security, education, and the accurate and prompt reporting as relating to sexual abuse has been formulated and distributed as required. A copy of the policy and report may be obtained by contacting the Department of Campus Safety or Dean of Students or can be found online at http://myweb.loras.edu/Loras/PDF/clery-report.pdf.

Policy Against Sexual Harassment

Loras College is committed to having a positive learning and working environment for its students and employees and will not tolerate sexual discrimination or sexual harassment. This principle is consistent with the mission of the College that “recognizes the human dignity of each individual and challenges men and women to grow with purpose and direction.” Sexual Harassment is demeaning, degrading, and can have a negative impact on a person’s performance at work or in class. Sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Disciplinary sanctions will be taken up to and including discharge for College employees and expulsion of students. Academic presentations of the Catholic Church’s moral teaching regarding sexuality are very appropriate and consistent with the College’s mission, and may not be claimed as violations of this policy.

The complete policy is available in both the Student Handbook and Staff Handbook (available on the Human Resources Portal page.

Student handbook: http://loras.edu/Campus-Life/Student-Handbook.aspx
Staff Handbook: https://lorasedu.sharepoint.com/AdministrativeOffices/HR

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution. These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day Loras College receives a request for access. A student should submit to the Registrar, Academic Dean, Division Chair, School Dean, or other appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the school 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, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. A student who wishes to ask the school to amend a record should write the school official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested, the school will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s 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 provide written consent before the Institution discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. The school discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by Loras College in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee. A school official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of Loras College who performs an institutional service of function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent or a student volunteering to assist 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 responsibilities for Loras College.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Loras College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
   
   Family Policy Compliance Office
   U.S. Department of Education
   400 Maryland Avenue, SW
   Washington, DC 20202

FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in §99.31 of the FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the student, §99.32 of FERPA regulations requires the institution to record the disclosure. Eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. A postsecondary institution may disclose PII from the education records without obtaining prior written consent of the student to the following individuals and in the following circumstances:

• To other school officials, including teachers, within Loras College whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests. This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed in §99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)(1) - (a)(1)(i)(B)(2) are met. (§99.31(a)(1))
• To officials of another school where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer, subject to the requirements of §99.34. (§99.31(a)(2))
• To authorized representatives of the U.S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or state and local educational authorities, 21such as a state postsecondary authority that is responsible for supervising the university’s state-supported education programs. Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of §99.35, in connection with an audit or evaluation of federal-or state-supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with federal legal requirements that relate to those programs. These entities may make further disclosures of PII to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf. (§§99.31(a)(3) and 99.35)
• In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid. (§99.31(a)(4))
• To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the school, in order to: (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction. (§99.31(a)(6))
• To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions. ((§99.31(a)(7))
• To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes. (§99.31(a)(8))
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. (§99.31(a)(9))
• To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to §99.36. (§99.31(a)(10))
• Information the Loras College has designated as “directory information” under §99.37. (§99.31(a)(11)) include the following:
  1. Name
  2. Local address
  3. Honors and awards
  4. Email address
  5. Birthdate (month only)
  6. Major fields of study
  7. Last date of attendance
  8. Current academic classification
  9. Enrollment status
  10. Recognized activities or sports
  11. Participation in officially recognized organizations, activities and sports
  12. Weight and height of student participating in officially recognized sports
  13. Damage charges and costs
• To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, subject to the requirements of §99.39. The disclosure may only include the final results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding. (§99.31(a)(13))
• To the general public, the final results of a disciplinary proceeding, subject to the requirements of §99.39, if the school determines the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense and the student has committed a violation of the school’s rules or policies with respect to the allegation made against him or her. (§99.31(a)(14))
• To parents of a student regarding the student’s violation of any federal, state, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the school, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the school determines the student committed a disciplinary violation and the student is under the age of 21. (§99.31(a)(15))

FERPA Contacts

Student Academic Records - Registrar, registrar@loras.edu
Student Development Records - Dr. Arthur W. Sunleaf, Vice President for Student Development, arthur.sunleaf@loras.edu