Accreditation / Regulation
Lewis University is accredited by, and a member of, the Higher Learning Commission. The College of Nursing and Health Professions’ basic professional program is approved by the State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. The baccalaureate, master's, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Lewis University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington DC, 20036, (202) 887-6791. The College of Business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Department of Aviation programs are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): Approved Dispatcher Program, Approved Flight School, and Approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School. The Athletic Training Education Program is accredited by CAATE (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education). Effective February 19, 2016, CAATE has placed the Athletic Training program on Probation. We remain an accredited program. Probation is the result of first-time pass rates on the Board of Certification exam in 2013-14.The University has taken several corrective measures and anticipates being removed from probation. The Social Work Program has been awarded initial accreditation through 2017 by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation. All teacher education programs are approved for entitlement by the Illinois State Board of Education in conjunction with the Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. In addition, the College of Education has earned NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) accreditation. For further information, visit the NCATE Website at www.ncate.org.
Inquiries concerning regional accreditation should be directed to the Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois, 60604. By phone, (800) 621-7440 or (312) 263-0456.
Lewis University has received provisional approval to operate from the New Mexico Higher Education Department.
Lewis University is an approved National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) institution for distance (online) learning.
Documents describing the status of Lewis University with these bodies can be found and reviewed in the Office of the Provost.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Lewis University recognizes and supports the standards set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and similar state laws (hereinafter “applicable law” or “law[s]”), which are designed to eliminate discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities. Disabilities may include physical or mental impairments which substantially limit one or more of a person’s major life activities and which necessitate modifications to the facilities, programs, or services of the University. For additional information on accommodations or accessibility on campus, contact the Learning Access Coordinator in the Academic Services department within the Center for Academic Services & Enrichment (CASE) at 815-836-5593 or LearningAccess@lewisu.edu.
Lewis University does not discriminate with regard to race, creed or religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or color. The University seeks to provide an environment and community where each person may develop academically, socially, and spiritually. Lewis University is committed to making reasonable accommodations for qualifying students, faculty, and employees with disabilities as required by applicable laws. Lewis University is committed to making the campus and its facilities accessible as required by applicable laws. (The University indicates that, upon request, it would move programs and activities currently held in inaccessible facilities to accessible locations.) Please allow at least four business days for accommodations. Depending on the nature of the program, service, or activity, accommodations may take longer or be able to be coordinated in less time. The University cannot make accommodations that are unduly burdensome or that fundamentally alter the nature of the University’s programs.
Student Complaints
Lewis University is committed to a policy of fair treatment of its students in their relationships with fellow students, faculty, staff and administrators. Students are encouraged to seek an informal resolution of a dispute directly with the faculty or individual(s) involved when possible. Dealing with concerns in the most direct and honest fashion should always be the first step toward resolution. Many problems are resolved when one makes an appointment with a faculty or staff member and calmly and honestly communicates their concerns. For matters where a resolution is not feasible, a student may make a formal appeal or complaint.
There are three categories for formal appeals/complaints:
Grade Appeal Process,
Academic appeal other than a grade, and Student Complaints.
For purposes of the student complaint process, a student is someone who is currently enrolled full or part-time or who has recently been enrolled in the institution (within the last two years). A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction concerning a University employee, department, service, or process, or a University administrative action, that requires clarification, investigation and/or resolution.
- A complaint may be verbal or in writing, preferably in writing using the complaint form found at www.lewisu.edu/welcome/studentcomplaints.htm.
- It is important to report complaints promptly and to include a short and concise statement of all the relevant facts and the action or remedy you are requesting so that an investigation can be completed and a resolution achieved.
- Complaints must be filed within 15 business days from the date of the action or occurrence which is the subject of the complaint.
- The Office of the Provost will assign a tracking number to the complaint and acknowledge its receipt using the contact information you have provided on the complaint form.
- The Office of the Provost reviews each complaint to determine if it is one upon which action should be taken. If the complaint is properly the subject of the academic or financial appeals processes, or is a question of academic discretion, the complaint will be dismissed without further action.
- The Office of the Provost refers complaints requiring further action to the appropriate academic or administrative official (typically, a Dean or Director, or another appropriate administrator whom they have designated) for investigation and resolution.
- Within 10 business days after receiving a complaint, the Office of the Provost will advise the student in writing either (a) that it has referred the complaint to an administrator for investigation and resolution, and to whom the complaint was referred, or (b) that it has dismissed the complaint and the reason for the dismissal.
- An administrator to whom a complaint has been referred has 20 business days from the day of the referral to investigate and address the complaint. During the investigation and resolution process the administrator will communicate directly with the student who has filed the complaint. At the conclusion of the investigation and resolution the administrator will notify the student and the Office of the Provost in writing of the results of the investigation and resolution of the complaint.
- The Office of the Provost may extend the investigation period beyond 20 business days by notifying, in writing, the student who filed the complaint, using the contact information provided on the complaint form.
- A complaint may be dismissed without further action if the student fails to cooperate in the investigation.
Should a student wish to file their complaint with a regulatory agency, the contact information is listed below. Please note that these offices will require that a student first seek resolution directly with the institution by following the defined complaint or grievance policy.
The State of Illinois – Illinois Board of Higher Education
http://complaints.ibhe.org
The Higher Learning Commission
www.hlcommission.org/HLC-Institutions/complaints.html
Lewis University-Albuquerque Students
New Mexico Higher Education Department (MNHED/PPSD)
2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4
Santa Fe, NM 87505-2100
Phone: (505) 476-8400
Fax: (505) 476-8454
www.hed.state.nm.us/institutions/complaints.aspx
Online or Distance Education Complaint Resolution
Students enrolled in Online or Distance Education are encouraged to contact their college dean’s office to seek advice. Information regarding the complaint processes for each state of residence can be found on the Lewis web site at
lewisu.edu/welcome/studentcomplaints.htm
NOTE: Dr. Kurt Schackmuth, the Vice President for Mission, serves as University Ombudsman and provides a neutral space for students and others to express concerns or ask questions about institutional policies and practices. The Vice President for Mission serves as an impartial representative of Lewis University with regard to the student complaint process.
Academic Year
Lewis University's academic year for traditional undergraduate programs begins on the first day of classes in August and ends on the last day of classes or examinations, which is in May. Lewis University's academic year for adult programs and graduate programs begins on the first day of classes in August and ends on the last day of classes or examinations, which is in August.
Catalog Requirements
Both the general University requirements and the departmental requirements for majors, minors, and certificate/licensure programs described in this catalog are current as of the time of publication. Those requirements may, however, change from time to time during the course of a student’s enrollment at Lewis. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor any changes to requirements published during their enrollment and to discuss with appropriate University or departmental personnel how, if at all, the changes affect the student’s academic program. A student whose curricular plan satisfies both the University requirements for graduation and the requirements for one of more majors that are in effect at the time of matriculation is eligible for an Associate of Science, Aviation Maintenance Technology Certificate, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Bachelor of Elected Studies degree from Lewis University.
The major and degree requirements in this catalog are applicable to those students who enter Lewis University in the academic year 2017-2018. The catalog effective date is that of the Fall Semester. Students follow requirements in the catalog of their first semester of enrollment. Students who are absent from Lewis for two or more consecutive years must follow the catalog requirements in effect upon return.
Computer Ethics
In the interest of academic honesty, Lewis University is committed to the following code of computer ethics:
- Work done on University computer systems is considered the property of the individual user, subject to normal inspection and file maintenance by University supervisory personnel.
- Users shall respect the privacy of information belonging to other users. They may not alter, add to, or delete another user’s property without the express consent of that owner. Any willful act of copying information with the intent of deceiving ownership, whether the information is a student’s or that of another user, is an act of plagiarism. Such action will be considered a form of academic dishonesty.
- The computer systems at the University shall not be used to identify the access codes of other users or other computer systems. Users may not disclose their own access codes to any other users.
Copyright Laws
Students must abide by all copyright laws including the transmission of any information, software, or other material that is protected by copyright (music and videos) or other proprietary rights (including trade secret materials) or derivative works thereof, without obtaining permission of the copyright owner or holder.
Educational Rights
Lewis University complies with the rules governing the implementation of the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as passed by the 93rd Congress with the 1992 amendments and issued by the Department of Health, Education and Human Services. Compliance is accomplished through procedures found in the Student Handbook.
Immunization Policy
The Illinois College Student Immunization Act requires ALL students born after January 1, 1957 enrolled in six (6) or more credit hours on the Romeoville campus to provide written evidence of current immune status with respect to certain communicable diseases. Documentation must be submitted to campus Health Services by September 1 for Fall classes and by February 1 for Spring classes. Students not in compliance by or before the deadline will have a Medical Hold for future class registration and cannot add, drop or make any schedule changes until compliance is met. Students who are not compliant by the grace period, 1st week in October (for Fall classes) or the 1st week of March (for Spring classes), will also have a non-refundable $50 late fee assessed.
Additional Information for CONHP Students
Every College of Nursing and Health Professions student must have a physical examination form and other specific bloodwork/immunizations related to clinical agency placement.
Non-Discrimination
Lewis University does not discriminate against any applicant because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability.
Privacy Statement
In accordance with the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, known as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, all institutions of higher education are now subject to provisions of the Act related to the administrative, technical, and physical safeguarding of consumer information. Lewis University fully supports these provisions and is implements practices and procedures to protect your private information.
Student Right-To-Know
Public Law 101-542, more commonly referred to as the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act, was signed into law on November 8, 1990. The federal legislation requires institutions of higher education receiving federal financial assistance to provide information regarding graduation rates of its students to prospective and current students, and crime statistics and campus security information to current students and employees. Six-year graduation rates for cohorts of entering freshmen and campus crime statistics, as required by the federal legislation, are updated annually on the Lewis University Website.
Tuition and Fees
Official information concerning tuition and fees is published each semester in the online University Course Schedule. All charges and fees are subject to change without notice or obligation, and only those lists of tuition, fees, and other charges published with the authority of the University Business Office are official.