Privacy of Student Records - FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords all students who attend a postsecondary education institution certain rights with respect to their educational records. They are:
- The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access.
- The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.
- The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Lawrence University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
Our required notification to students is published in the Lawrence Student Handbook, but it is also available on the website. Admitted students are notified of their rights under FERPA in a letter from the office of admissions on behalf of the Center for Academic Success. Within the student portal (known as Voyager), each term enrolled students have to agree and indicate they have read statements about student opportunities, obligations, and responsibilities - one of which is FERPA.
College Navigator
College Navigator is a free information tool to help guide prospective students and parents through the entire college process. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has a search tool to help explore over 7000 colleges and universities.
Students with Disabilities
Lawrence University is committed to providing opportunities for all students to succeed academically. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990/2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973), Lawrence has a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of disability and offers academic accommodations to students with disabilities who need them to benefit from the educational programs of the university; students must initiate all requests.
Academic accommodations are reasonable adjustments or necessary forms of assistance provided to students who are at a disadvantage due to a disability such as a physical or sensory limitation, attention or cognitive processing deficit, learning disability, or physical or mental health condition. Accommodations are also available to those who are temporarily disabled while recovering from illness or injury. Information about the process including an overview, eligibility, and requesting accommodations is available online. An academic accommodation is considered to be reasonable when it (a) does not fundamentally alter the program nor substantially change an essential element of the curriculum, and (b) does not cause an undue hardship to the university. Reasonable academic accommodations include things like:
• Modified materials or procedures – such as large print texts, additional time to complete exams, or a reduced-distraction setting for testing.
• Auxiliary aids and services – such as an FM system for audio, text-to-speech aids, smart pen with recording capabilities, or note-taking services.
• Environmental adjustments – such as a more accessible classroom, priority seating, or alternative furniture.
Lawrence offers accessibility services for students with disabilities. Accessibility Services can provide all appropriate information and advice. Because courses vary in their required activities (discussion, lab, performance, etc.), Lawrence works with eligible students to determine reasonable accommodations for each course or other academic requirement. Arrangements are made through Accessibility Services. Contact Accessibility Services in person (233 Mudd Library), by phone (920-832-7206), or by email.
Student Body Diversity
In accordance with the HEOA, institutions must make available to current and prospective students information about student body diversity, including the percentage of enrolled, full-time students by gender, race/ethnicity, and Pell grant recipient status as reported in the IPEDS Fall Enrollment and Student Financial Aid surveys.
Price of Attendance
In accordance with the HEOA, each institution must make available to prospective and enrolled students information about the price of attendance, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation costs, and any additional costs. This information can be found under Financial Aid on the Lawrence website, which includes comprehensive fee details and a cost of attendance worksheet.
Net Price Calculator
Refund Policy, Requirements for Withdrawal, & Return of Financial Aid
Lawrence's refund policy, requirements and procedures for official withdrawal, and requirements for the return of financial aid are detailed in the current year course catalog.
Textbook Information
The Lawrence Online Bookstore, operated in partnership with Akadémos, provides book information for all scheduled courses. Book information includes required and recommended textbooks, ISBNs, prices, and purchase or rental options. Courses listed in the class schedule have a “View book information” link that connects to the information in the online bookstore.
Educational Programs, Instructional Facilities, & Faculty
Educational Programs
The course catalog contains information about Lawrence's academic programs, including current programs, facilities, and faculty in accordance with the HEOA. The Strategic Plan includes ambitions and objectives to help Lawrence achieve its long-range vision and have direct and lasting impact in five distinct areas at Lawrence: curriculum, community, student success, affordability and resources.
Instructional Facilities
The 88-acre Lawrence campus is situated on a bluff overlooking the historic Fox River and contains 62 instructional, residential, recreational and administrative facilities. Campus and parking maps are available. More detailed parking information is available.
Björklunden vid Sjön, a 441-acre estate on Lake Michigan in Door County, serves as the college’s northern campus, hosting curricular retreats and seminars for students each weekend throughout the academic year and continuing education seminars during the summer for alumni and the public. A map and directions to Björklunden are available.
Lawrence has 57 classrooms, 4 performance halls, 17 computer labs, and 22 teaching labs and studios. A detailed list of technology installed in each room is available.
Faculty
A list of current and emeriti faculty are included in the course catalog.
Transfer of Credit Policies & Articulation Agreements
Transfer credit policies can be found in the current year course catalog under Academic Procedures and Regulations. A transfer student is defined as anyone who has attempted the equivalent of at least 12 credit hours at a regionally accredited college or university after completion of secondary school or who has achieved an Associate of Arts degree.
In 2014, Lawrence and the University of Wisconsin (UW) entered into an articulation agreement allowing students to transfer credit from the UW two-year college system to Lawrence University. The relationship between University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Fox Valley has been maintained through a special partnership. Prospective transfer students should apply for admission to receive a transfer credit evaluation.
Accreditation & Licensure
Lawrence is accredited as a degree-granting institution by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is in good standing. The Conservatory of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) in good standing. Our chemistry department and program are approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and students completing a chemistry major are ACS-certified. Lawrence's teacher certification is in accordance with Certification Rules PI 34 of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Accreditation and Licensing documents are maintained by the Office of the President. Requests to review these materials can be made by contacting the Office of the President at 920-832-6525.
Copyright Infringement Policies and Sanctions
In accordance with the HEOA, institutions must annually make available to current and prospective students the institution's policies and sanctions related to copyright infringement, including computer use and file sharing.
Technology Services has several policies about Acceptable Use, Computer Use, Electronic Communications, File Sharing & Copyright Violations, and an Internet Code of Conduct. Computer use policies are also found in the Lawrence Student Handbook; violations of the regulations of computer use as stated in I.K.1.00 through I.K.4.01 of the student handbook will be regarded as direct violations of the Honor Code or Social Code and will result in sanctions deemed appropriate by the residence hall director or dean of students.