IEC Student Handbook Policies
85% Attendance Policy, One-Time Repeat Policy Forms
To make academic progress, it is important for all IEC students to attend class and actively participate in all assignments, exercises, and tasks. When you are absent, it has a negative effect on your learning. And since many assignments and activities depend on pair and group work, your absence has a negative effect on your classmates as well.
• Regular attendance is required in all IEC classes.
• In order to continue to enroll at the IEC, you must attend a minimum of 85% of your classes each session.
• You should always be on time and stay for the entire class. If you arrive late to class or leave early, this will affect your attendance percentage.
• There are no excused absences.
• No early exams or evaluations can be expected.
- You must show that you are making consistent progress throughout the IEC’s eight levels of English language study.
- You are allowed to repeat each level only once. (You are allowed to repeat more than once, provided you are repeating a different level).
o Exception: Students in Level 8 may repeat more than one time if they are making consistent progress at that level. This is a case-by-case decision made by the IEC Director and Assistant Director for Student Services. Reasons for repeating Level 8 can be to improve English CEFR proficiencies or final GPA, improve IELTS or TOEFL scores, improve general academic English skills, or meet visa requirements before matriculating at the university.
o To make consistent progress, students must demonstrate at least one of the following:
- overall improved GPA from the prior session
- improved grades to meet ESL Academic Bridge promotion requirements
- an increase in English language proficiency level for one or more skills
o Students may be dismissed during the session if they do not demonstrate any progress at midsession evaluation.
- The maximum time to complete a full course of study at the IEC is 24 months. Most students complete the Intensive English Program within one year.
If you do not attend at least 85% of your classes each session, you may be dismissed from the IEC and then must leave the United States immediately. If you do not pass a level the second time, you may be required to transfer to a different English language program.
The purpose of the Student Code of Conduct is to maintain the general welfare of the IEC and the university community. The IEC and the university strive to make the campus community a place of study, work and residence where people are treated, and treat one another, with respect and courtesy. All students must follow the Student Code of Conduct. Students who violate these standards will be subject to the actions described below.
There are some behaviors that are not acceptable and can cause disruption to student learning in the IEC classrooms.
In addition to the above inappropriate behaviors, the conduct listed below is prohibited by the University’s Student Code of Conduct. Violating any of the below standards with bold type will result in a minimum sanction of suspension unless specific and significant mitigating factors are present.
• Assaulting or physically abusing another person.
• Intimate partner abuse.
• Sexual misconduct.
• Indecently exposing one’s body.
• Stalking.
• Hazing.
• Abusive conduct that creates an environment that is hostile or offensive.
• Violating any federal, state, or local law or university regulation.
• Interfering with a university activity.
• Interfering with a police or fire response.
• Failing to comply with university officials who are performing their duties.
• Failing to abide by a university sanction.
• Providing false information to IEC or university officials.
• Retaliating against or discouraging an individual from participating in a university process.
• Violating any Housing and Dining Services policy. • Unauthorized entry into or exit from university property.
• Damaging university property.
• Engaging in, inciting, or arming someone for a riot or public disturbance.
• Use of electronic or other devices to make an audio or video record of another person without that person’s express consent and/or knowledge.
• Possessing firearms, explosives, fireworks, incendiary devices, ammunition, or other weapons on campus.
• Theft.
• Possessing, using, providing, manufacturing, distributing, or selling drugs or drug paraphernalia in violation of law or university policies.
• Possessing, using, providing, manufacturing, distributing, or selling alcoholic beverages in violation of law or university policies.
Prohibited conduct also includes conduct engaged in by electronic means including, but not limited to, computers (such as with use of the Internet for email or social media purposes), and type of phone (such as by calls, texts, instant messaging, or the Internet), or any other means of electronic communication.
Any student found violating one of the above standards not in bold type will be written up by the Director. A copy of this write-up will be placed in the student’s academic file. If the student is sponsored, the sponsor will be notified. If the student receives three such write-ups during their course of studies at the IEC, this student may be asked to leave the IEC.
Adapted from: Student Conduct Code Policies & Procedures 2011-2012, Office of Student Conduct, University of ֱ Boulder. Effective 8/1/2011.
Honor is about academic integrity, moral and ethical conduct, and pride of membership in a community that values academic achievement and individual responsibility. Cultivating honor lays the foundation for lifelong integrity, developing in each of us the courage and insight to make difficult choices and accept responsibility for actions and their consequences, even at personal cost. As citizens of an academic community of trust, ֱ-Boulder students do not lie or cheat whether they are on campus or acting as representatives of the university in surrounding communities. Neither should they suffer by the dishonest acts of others. All students of the University of ֱ Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Program Manager for Student Academics and Success. Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and nonacademic sanctions. Students found violating the Honor Code will be written up the same as a student who has violated the Student Code of Conduct. Adapted from: http://honorcode.colorado.edu, Honor Code Office, University of ֱ Boulder.
Harassment
The IEC has a strict no-harassment policy. Harassment is defined as verbal, written, or physical conduct related to a person’s gender, race, color, national origin, religion, etc., that unreasonably interferes with an individual’s academic performance or creates an intimidating or hostile educational environment.
Examples can include:
- Using offensive words and statements or name-calling based on the way another person looks, acts, or behaves
- Spreading rumors or gossip that hurts other students or their social status
- Using social media, including photos, to threaten or embarrass other people
Harassment has a harmful impact on individuals and the school community. If you are being harassed or notice that another student is being harassed, you should report the incident to the IEC’s Assistant Director for Student Services, or the IEC Director. You can report harassment for yourself or for a friend. The information you report will be confidential. If the IEC can’t help, we will connect you to ֱ resources that can.
We encourage you to report:
- Even if you don’t know the identity of the person who caused the harm
- Even if you don’t know what you want to happen
- Even if you think it is not serious
- Even if it’s only happening to you
Speak up
Immediately responding to a person who is harassing you or someone else is not always the best thing to do. It is important to determine if the situation is safe to speak up. If it is safe, you can use some of the suggestions below to stop harassment*:
Stop the behavior immediately
- “Cut it out! (Stop it!) Using those words is no joke.”
- “That’s not cool.”
Ask questions
- “What do you mean by what you just said?”
- “I’m sorry, I don’t understand why you would say that.”
- “That wasn’t nice. Why did you say that?”
Communicate how the behavior affects you
- “Please don’t say that around me because it is offensive.”
- “That language makes me uncomfortable. Please don’t say that.”
IEC Fragrance-Free Policy
Poor indoor air quality can cause serious effects on people’s health and productivity. A common source of indoor air pollution is fragrance from personal care products. Fragrances smell good but they can cause headaches, breathing problems, and difficulty with concentration. People with allergies and asthma report that certain smells, even in small amounts, can cause medical problems.
The IEC has a fragrance-free policy. Please do not wear any of the following when you come to class: cologne, after-shave lotion, perfume, perfumed hand lotion and hair products, and/or similar products that contain fragrance. Also, please do not apply these products in the restrooms. Before you use a personal care product, look at the ingredients to make sure the word “fragrance” is not listed.
The goal of the IEC’s fragrance-free policy is to protect the health and well-being of IEC students, faculty, and staff by minimizing the use of fragrance. We thank you for your help in keeping the air safe, clean, and healthy for everyone.
Check out these COVID-19 resources for important information and updates.
Wardenburg Covid-19 Information
Protect Our Herd
COVID-19 Booster Shots
We strongly recommend that all students get a COVID-19 booster shot. You may receive a booster shot at the Wardenburg Health Center by appointment. Appointments are limited.
Symptoms of COVID-19
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Currently, the :
- Cough
- Fever or chills
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
What to do if you feel sick
If you're not feeling well, stay home and contact your health care provider or the Medical Services at 303-492-5101 for guidance.
- Get tested
- Recover at home away from others
- Take care of yourself - stay hydrated and rest
- Stay in touch with your doctor
- Avoid public transportation
- Quarantine for at least five days or until you get a negative COVID-19 test result
When to seek emergency medical attention
If someone is showing any of these signs or symptoms*, seek emergency medical care immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility and notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
Advanced automated tools are a type of artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning tools,
such as ChatGPT.
You must not use AI tools on any graded assignment for this course.
- You should complete each assignment without help from AI.
- You are responsible for the work you submit to your instructor.
- Using AI on a graded assignment is a form of academic dishonesty like plagiarism or
- cheating.
- If you violate these policies, you will be in violation of the ֱ Honor Code.
As we continue to learn about AI tools, your instructors may use AI in a class activity to help you
learn and practice English.
Cell phones and electronic devices may serve as an outstanding instructional tool and learning resource if used appropriately. We encourage our faculty members and our students to use electronic devices to supplement instruction and learning. However, research shows that students are not fully engaged in learning when they use cell phones or other electronic devices that are not part of the instructional lesson. Cell phone use also disrupts the learning of other students in the class.
Cell phones, including cameras and all other apps and devices, are prohibited in the
classroom unless expressly permitted by a faculty or staff member for educational purposes.
- Students using cell phones or electronic devices in any manner that disrupts the educational environment or violates the rights of others will be subject to disciplinary action. This includes using these devices to:
o send or receive messages
o play games
o violate the honor code
o harass or bully faculty, staff, or students
o photograph or video record others without permission
- Once inside the classroom, students must store their cell phones and electronic devices in a location that is not visible to the classroom instructor or other students, even though they are on SILENT.
- If a cell phone or electronic device rings, vibrates, or is used for any reason without classroom instructor permission, or is visible anytime during class time, the instructor may take away the device.
- Headphones and other Bluetooth enabled devices must not be used in class and must be put away.
Consequences of Cell Phone Use
- First Offense ~ students will receive a verbal warning from the classroom instructor. They may be marked absent for the class period and may be asked to surrender* the device.
- Second Offense ~ students will be marked absent for the class period and may be asked to surrender the device or leave the classroom. Student conduct will be reported to the Assistant Director for Student Services.
- Third Offense ~ students may be asked to surrender the device or leave the classroom. Student conduct will be reported to the Director and Assistant Director for Student Services who will issue a student warning letter.
* Refusal to surrender a cell phone or other electronic device when directed to do so by a faculty or staff member is a violation of the IEC’s Student Code of Conduct policy.