Student Services and Policies
Location and Facilities. The World University of America (Ojai) is located at 107 N. Ventura Street, Ojai, California 93023. Soon after its founding in 1974, the University purchased the former Ojai City Hall and Courtroom which was converted for academic use. The facility has several offices, classrooms, a large auditorium, and a library addition. There is also a room called "the Quiet Room" which is used for quiet reflection, contemplation, and meditation.
Equal Opportunity Policy. The World University of America (Ojai) is committed to a policy of equal opportunity enrollment and placement. At such time that financial aid becomes available to students, it will be offered to qualified persons without discrimination as to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex or handicap. We admit as regular students those handicapped individuals whose handicap:
(1) would not create, during their training, a safety hazard to themselves or their classmates; and
(2) would not interfere with their ability to benefit from the training offered through their classroom performance capabilities and have reasonable placement potential following graduation.
The University is in a building which allows access to persons in wheelchairs or on crutches. There are no special educational programs for handicapped students.
Financial Assistance. The University currently does not provide financial assistance in the way of grants, scholarships, or loans, except grants to U.S. armed forces veterans. Such assistance, however, may be available through outside sources.
International Students. The World University of America accepts qualified students coming from different countries through our Foreign Student Services. However, students that fall in this category should meet the standards of both the United States Immigration Service and the World University as well. (Please see the Admissions Requirements in this catalog for international students.)
Housing. The University maintains a limited housing for students at this time.
Drug and Alcohol Counseling. Any student experiencing a problem with drugs or alcohol is asked to see the University Dean. A list of counseling centers will be made available to those students who request such counseling.
Guidance and Assistance. Administrative personnel or faculty will assist students with any academic problems within their course of study.
Student Achievement Program. The Student Achievement Program is intended for undergraduate and graduate students who need further assistance outside the classroom. Overseen by the University Academic Dean, this program provides additional academic support and educational resources such as workshops on time management and student success.
Other Services Available to Student Upon Request. Academic tutoring and personal career counseling is available upon request. The faculty encourage students to form study groups to foster student interaction for learning purposes; the University will make meeting space available for study groups upon request.
Campus Service Hours.
1. Bookstore 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 (Monday to Friday)
2. Personal and Spiritual Counseling (By appointment only)
3. Library: 10:00 - 12:00 P.M. (Tuesday to Friday)
2:00 P.M. - 6:30 P.M. (Tuesday to Friday)
4. Office Hours: 9:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M., Monday to Friday
9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M., Saturdays
Library. The library houses more than 8,000+ volumes. We are able also to use the resources of various private and special libraries in the area as well as the County and State Library as they have a computerized Directory of books that can be ordered by request. We have also posted on our bulletin board information about access to library collections in the Ojai vicinity such as: the Krotona Institute; Krishnarmuti Foundation; Ventura College; Oxnard College; Santa Barbara City College and University of California at Santa Barbara with its extensive collection in psychology and religious studies. The Ojai Public Library with its interlibrary loan system is one block from World University. The nearby University of California at Santa Barbara has a "Friends of the Library" check -out card available to our students for an annual fee of fifty dollars, which can be especially useful to those involved in graduate level research.
We are continually reviewing, culling, and adding to our library collection. For example, we have also added hundreds of books, video tapes and audio books and lecture series (e.g., Great Minds of the Western Intellectual Tradition, a Teaching Company audiotape lecture series composed of 70 lectures). Our additions address all areas of the curriculum and most of the new material is recently published, with the exception of some donated books and some used books purchases which have older publications dates (sixties, seventies, eighties) but are still relevant to our curriculum.
Activities.
1. The World Without Walls Newsletter is managed by students under the direction a faculty.
2. University Choir - All students as well as members of the community who are interested are welcome to join.
3. Avasthology Journal (Science of Total Consciousness).
4. Website: Information of interest to students and potential students may also be accessed on World University's website (www.worldu.edu)
Committees.
1. Academic Affairs: Curriculum/Graduation Committee/Faculty committees for Specific Programs
2. Policies and Procedures
Loss and Damage.
The University does not assume any responsibility for damage or loss of personal belongings. Students are encouraged to obtain their own insurance coverage if their personal effects are not included in their parents' homeowner's policy. A lost-and-found service is maintained in the Registrar's Office.
Use of Facilities.
University properties shall be used only in accordance with Federal, State, and Local laws and shall not be used for the purpose of organizing or carrying out unlawful activity.
Student Conduct Policy.
Students are expected to treat University personnel and other students with consideration and respect. Students are to keep the facilities neat and clean. At the discretion of the Administration, a student may be dismissed from the University for: being in an intoxicated or drugged state; possession of drugs or alcohol upon University premises; possession of weapons on University premises; behavior creating a safety hazard to other persons at the University; disobedient or disrespectful behavior to another student, an administrator, or faculty member.
Disciplinary Actions.
Disciplinary actions may be imposed by the institution against violators after a thorough investigation of the violation committed. Charges of misconduct may include:
1. Dishonesty, cheating, false information.
2. Obstruction, alteration, and misuse of records.
3. Theft, damage to property of the University or the community.
4. Violation of University policies, campus regulations, rules governing residence on University property.
5. Physical abuse, threats of violence, or conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person on the premises of the University.
6. Disorderly or lewd conduct on University properties or at official University functions.
Steps in Disciplinary Actions
1. Warning
2. Reprimand
3. Probation - under observation
4. Restitution - pay damages
5. Suspension
6. Expulsion
Grievance Procedure.
Preliminary Action: A mutually agreeable resolution of all differences should first be attempted, with all due diligence, between the involved parties. Those differences unable to be resolved shall be mediated according to the following:
1. Informal Hearing.
The Complaints Designee appointed by the University Dean will hold the informal hearing with the persons involved to hear the sides of the complaint and attempt to resolve the matter. If the person making the complaint is not satisfied with the solution obtained by the informal hearing, he/she will submit a signed complaint in writing to the University Dean.
2. Hearing.
Committee members will be appointed by the University Dean and a formal hearing will be scheduled within two weeks after the submission of the written complaints.
3. If Still Unresolved.
If the issue has not been resolved, the student may appeal to the President, then to the Board of Trustees where judgment is final. Further complaint may be directed to the office of the Bureau of Private Post Secondary and Vocational Education at 1027 10 th Street, Fourth Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Policy on Victims of Sexual Assault
University Policy. The World University of America (Ojai) will treat sexual assault with strong disciplinary actions including the possibility of suspension or dismissal from the university. Sexual assault may be subject to criminal prosecution under California Criminal statutes. World University will also seek to provide prompt, confidential and compassionate assistance to the victims of such offenses. Faculty and staff will not be adversely treated for having brought forward a charge of sexual assault on behalf of an alleged victim. Sexual assault will be considered as any kind of sexual activity which is forced upon a person against his or her will. Personnel to be Notified. Complaints regarding sexual assault should be referred to the Complaints Designee. Legal Procedures.
The President will make and file a confidential incident report. The report should contain where and when the assault happened, to whom (name and age) and by whom it occurred and exactly how it happened. A medical-legal examination should be performed as soon after the assault as possible for evidence. If the victim is under 18 the incident must by law be reported to the police. If over 18, the victim may decide whether to report the incident to the police or not. Hospitals are required by law to report alleged injuries by criminal acts to the police.
Services Available.
Should the victim wish to report the assault to the police and/or go to the hospital, the World University President may arrange for personnel from the university staff or faculty to transport and/or accompany the victim through the paperwork at the hospital and police department. 911 may be called if injuries have been incurred and transportation is needed by ambulance to a hospital. A suitable crisis counselor may also be recommended by the President. The victim may wish to contact the Ventura County Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence whose mission is to coordinate and implement services to the victim of sexual assault. They provide advocacy services, follow-up crisis counseling, information and referral, treatment program and post-crisis services.
Off-Campus Services:
Hospitals with Specialized Care:
Ventura County Medical Center, Ventura, 652-6000
Simi Adventist Hospital, Simi Valley, 527-2462
The Ventura County Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
654-8141; Hotline 656-111.
Legal Services:
Lawyer's Referral Services, 653-5252 Ongoing Case Management Procedures.
Administrative Officer will be assigned to keep the victim informed of the status of any student disciplinary proceedings in connection with the assailant of the sexual assault including judicial results, disciplinary action and/or appeal. The Administrative Officer will be assigned, with the victims consent, to track the victims academic status and to assist in his/her reintegration back into class work.
Confidentiality and the Press.
In accordance with the Family Rights and Privacy Act and the Buckley Amendment, the name of the victim and/or specific details of the assault will be released only when essential to the health and safety of the individual assaulted or that of other members of the campus community. In accordance with Chapter 593 of the Education Code, no person, persons, agency or organization permitted access to student records shall permit access to any information obtained from the records by any other person, persons, agency or organization without the written consent of the student involved. The victim of any sexual assault shall be permitted access to that information in compliance with the Buckley Amendment and it shall consist of a notice of the results of any disciplinary action taken by the University and the results of any appeal.
Criminal and Civil Prosecution.
Once an incident of sexual assault has been reported to the police, it is up to the police department to collect information, including the medical/legal exam and to investigate the matter. The information is then turned over to the District Attorney's office to determine whether the incident is a criminal offense and to bring it before the courts for punitive action against the assailant. Punitive consequences can include fines, probation and incarceration. In addition, civil actions may be brought against the assailant for damages. The victim should consult an attorney for civil legal action. The Ventura County Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence has a complete list of local attorneys with whom they have had experience. A Harassment Restraining Order may be obtained through the Ventura County Superior Court to protect the victim from being harassed by an assailant or by others. These orders are enforced by law enforcement agencies.
Disciplinary actions by the University against the assailant may include: reprimand, probation, suspension or expulsion. Mediation services may be arranged through the University Dean. Academic assistance for victims of sexual assault includes tutoring, switching to different classes, academic counseling, incomplete or withdrawal from classes or assistance in transferring.
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