Principles and Mission

Hiram College MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Hiram College is to foster intellectual excellence and social responsibility, enabling our students to thrive in their chosen careers, flourish in life, and face the urgent challenges of the times.

STATEMENT OF CORE VALUES

Core values are the essential enduring tenets which guide the Hiram College community. They set forth what we believe and define how we should conduct our affairs. At the heart of these values is the student.

Community

  • We are a community that fosters mentoring relationships and shared responsibility for learning.
  • We are committed to the well-being of each member of the community.
  • We value the distinctive contributions of every person in the learning environment.

Learning

  • We believe in the interrelationship of knowledge exemplified in the liberal arts.
  • We demonstrate unwavering commitment to the pursuit of learning and quality scholarship.
  • We value superior teaching and comprehensive mentoring.
  • We are committed to supporting the continuous personal and professional growth of community members.
  • We foster an environment that encourages open inquiry.

Responsibility

  • We recognize that the well-being and governance of the community are a shared responsibility among community members.
  • We believe that community members are accountable for their actions and should be held to high standards.
  • We embrace our responsibility to the larger community beyond the boundaries of Hiram College and encourage learning through service.

Diversity

  • We respect the dignity of each individual.
  • We are an inclusive community that welcomes people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and points of view.
  • We recognize the value of diversity in our educational program.
  • We seek to foster a supportive environment in which community members will be challenged to explore knowledge, values, and ethics from varied perspectives.
  • We celebrate freedom of thought and freedom of choice.

Innovation

  • We honor our tradition in the liberal arts and its profound relevance to society.
  • We are eager to explore new issues and practices and integrate them into our academic vision.
  • We encourage individual initiative, creativity and talent.

Hiram College Athletics Mission Statement

We are committed to recruiting and retaining successful student-athletes and to providing them with a successful athletic experience within the mission of the institution.To this end, we support the total educational experience for each student in his/her pursuit of excellence – through quality athletic competition, high academic standards, and a meaningful student life.As students educated in a liberal arts environment, our student-athletes learn to represent our college positively, to foster good sportsmanship, and to model fair play. We strive to demonstrate effective teamwork, to act ethically and professionally, and to participate in leadership opportunities.Our staff is committed to developing the total individual by establishing and maintaining an environment that values diversity and gender equity.

Hiram College Student-Athlete Policy Manual

All Student athletes are responsible for the contents of the student-athlete policy manual, coaches are required to review the policy manual with their teams. (Policy Manual).

Diversity and Inclusion

At Hiram College, we consider the rich diversity of our students, faculty and staff to be both a defining characteristic and an essential source of our institutional strength. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion has as its mission to help secure Hiram College as a world class model of inclusive academic excellence. With the changing face of the world itself, the terms “diversity” and “inclusion” continue to expand to include persons from a growing array of backgrounds, cultures, identities and experiences. To that end and because diversity is dynamic, not static, the College will continue to strive to reflect these changes, understanding that a diverse learning environment is beneficial to all.

Research has shown that, when nurtured in a challenging yet welcoming and respectful environment, diversity encourages deeper analytical and critical thinking, encourages an intellectual exploration and understanding of harmful stereotypes, and strengthens the ability to communicate, work and engage socially across identity and difference. Confidence in these skills are essential for one to successfully participation in a globally-connected world. Hiram College is committed to providing a rich and diverse learning environment that will allow students to grow into leaders and productive citizens that will benefit our nation and world.

Hiram College Harassment-Policy

Hiram College is committed to creating and maintaining an educational and work environment that is free of all forms of unlawful harassment. Any form of unlawful harassment will be considered unacceptable conduct, is prohibited, and will not be tolerated. This includes harassment based on sex, gender, race, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, national origin, ancestry, and any other status protected by law.

Any student who believes s/he have experienced or observed any conduct which violates this policy is obligated to report the alleged violation to the Director of Athletics, and to College Harassment Policy Officer, or to the Coordinator for Citizenship Education, Director of Residence Life. The person investigating the allegation will do so prudently, professionally, and thoroughly.

For more information about this policy please refer to the Hiram College Student Handbook

Department Organization

Student-Athlete Advisory committee (SAAC)

The mission of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), is to enhance and assess the student-athlete experience. SAAC offers input on rules, regulations, and policies that affect the Hiram College student-athlete and North Coast Athletic Conference member campuses.The mission of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare, and fostering a positive student-athlete image. SAAC helps to ensure that student-athletes receive the best collegiate athletic experience possible. This includes experiences that support academic development, safety, diversity, community leadership and healthy living. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee meets twice per month and SAAC officers attend bi-weekly athletic staff meetings.(SAAC Page)

Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR)

The Faculty Athletic Representative is a member of the Faculty who works closely with the Athletic Department Administration to integrate the athletics program into the larger education mission of the College. FAR’s serve an invaluable role in helping student-athletes to work with faculty to resolve missed class challenges due to athletic competition.(FAR Job Description)

Director of Athletics

The Director of Athletics is the administrative head of the Athletic Department and supervises the entire operation. The Director of Athletics supervises the department’s recruiting, scheduling, budgeting, purchasing, coaching and sports publicity. The Director’s duties also include developing and enforcing departmental policies, representing the Athletic Department on various levels and serving on committees that concern athletics at the college level.(Ellen Dempsey – Director of Athletics)

Assistant Athletic Director/Head Athletic Trainer (1)

The Assistant Athletic Director/Head Athletic Trainer is a combined position and is responsible for assisting the Director of Athletics in the day-to-day operations of the athletic department, and is in charge of assigning and evaluating the athletic staff that teach in the Sports and Fitness Management Major. As head Athletic Trainer this person serves as the coordinator of all injury prevention management and rehabilitative care for all men’s and women’s intercollegiate teams. The Head Athletic Trainer also recommends policies for protection of health and well-being of the student athlete. Supervising and training student athletic trainers, maintenance of medical records referring to athletic injuries are also responsibilities of the Head Athletic Trainer. Assistant Athletic Trainers and First Responders report to the Head Athletic Trainer.(Athletic Training Page)

Assistant Athletic Director of Facilities and Operations (1)

The Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations is responsible for coordinating all departmental equipment, custodial and field services. Supervision of equipment includes the maintenance, distribution, collection, and inventory of all intercollegiate issued equipment. Additionally this position will supervise all graduate assistants in the day-to-day task of completing all athletic related laundry, provides oversight and supervision for all intramural programs, and supervises and manages all Coleman Center facility building monitors. His/her duties also include assisting the Director of Athletics in day-to-day operations of the athletic department.(Jim Schweickert Bio/Contact Info)

Manager of Athletic Business Operations (.5)

This position is a shared position between athletics and events. The Manager of Athletic Business Operations is responsible for the preparation of all approved athletic PO requests, processing of all athletic department travel reimbursements, coordination of all athletic department Bus transportation needs, processing and deposit of all athletic department revenues (ticket sales, fund raisers). This position works closely with the Director of Athletics to submit quarterly budget updates, and reports as needed. (Martha Schettler Contact Information)

Director Athletic Communication (1)

The Director of Athletics Communication is responsible for updating and maintaining the athletics web page and social media sites, distributing game stories and releases for each sport program, maintaining statistics for all sports, preparing weekly sports reports to the conference and NCAA, maintaining archives and databases for all sports, producing game-day programs for each home contest, nominating student-athletes for awards and honors, coordinating all video web casts, and photography for all teams (head shots and action shots), In addition this position coordinates, trains and supervises all student-work crews for all home athletic contests. The Director of Athletic Communication serves on the Hollinger Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, and is responsible for helping to coordinate all awards for the Annual Athletic Department Terry Awards and Senior Student-Athlete Banquet.(Jerrod Plate Contact Information)

Athletic Department Management Team (Senior Staff)

This team consists of the following members: The Director of Athletics, Assistant Athletic Director/Head Athletic Trainer, Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations, the Director of Sports Information. The Senior Staff meets weekly during the academic year to discuss team schedules, areas of concern, event preparation, future plans and staffing.

Academic Standards

NCAA GUIDELINES

To be eligible to practice and/or compete, a student-athlete must:

Have been admitted as a regular degree seeking student according to the published entrance requirements of Hiram College; students must be in good academic standing according to the standards of Hiram College; be enrolled in at least a minimum full-time program (not less than 12 semester hours); and maintain satisfactory progress toward a baccalaureate degree at Hiram College.

HIRAM COLLEGE GUIDELINES

Hiram College adheres to the following guidelines in addition to those set by the NCAA:

Academic Probation (See 2017-18 Hiram College Student Handbook, Academic Review Board Policies, pgs. 12-15).

Any students who has a cumulative GPA below C (2.00) at the end of any semester will be placed on academic probation by the Academic Review Board. A student-athlete on Academic Probation is eligible to participate in athletics, but must meet expectations set by the Coordinator for Academic Development in conjunction with the head coach in regards to academic improvement.

Any students who have a cumulative GPA of C (2.00) or above but a semester GPA below C (2.00) will be placed on academic warning. (AW)

Dismissal

Students will be suspended from the College if at the end of their first semester their GPA is below 1.24 GPA.

Suspension Exemptions for Traditional and Professional Graduate Studies (PGS) Students

A request for exemption may be made to the Academic Review Board (). Students making a request are encouraged to submit letters of support on their behalf from faculty and staff, along with a personal statement detailing the rationale for the exemption, and future academic plan for success should the exemption be granted. All petitions and supporting documents must reach the Chair of ARB by the announced deadline. The deadline will be chosen each semester to allow students a minimum of 48 hours to prepare and submit their materials.

Appeal of an ARB Decision

Any traditional or PGS student who wishes to appeal an ARB decision must submit a written statement to the Dean of the College within 72 hours after the decision has been communicated. Appeals may be made only on the following grounds:

  • ARB failed to follow its policies and procedures correctly;
  • There is new information that was not available to ARB at the time of the decision. The Dean will review the case and will make a final decision of whether to allow the student to return to the College on Academic Probation.

The Dean will review the case and will make a final decision of whether to allow the student to return to the College on Academic Probation.

Additional regulations of the college:

A student-athlete must be officially registered for a full-time course load of classes (minimum 12 credits) to be able to be eligible for athletics. If a student drops a class and falls below 12 credits, he/she become immediately ineligible. If the student is not officially registered and cleared by the registrar to be on campus, the student is also ineligible.

3-Week Registration

3-Week Registration under the Hiram Semester Plan, each 15-week semester is divided into two sessions, one session is comprised of 12 weeks and one session of 3 weeks. Each session, 12-week and 3-week, is an integral component of the 30-week academic calendar year.

All students are required to engage in one three- or four-hour course or equivalent approved course block during the 3-week session of each semester they are enrolled at Hiram College. Requests for an exception to the registration policy or for permission to register for more than 4 credits during the 3-week term must be submitted in writing to the Office of the Associate Dean of the College for approval prior to the start of the term. Only those students registered for coursework as noted above may reside in the residence halls during the 3-week session.

Requests for an exemption to this policy must be submitted in writing to the Director of Residential & Citizenship Education prior to the start of the 3-week session. Graduating seniors who have completed all requirements for graduation at the end of the final twelve-week session of their senior year are not required to register for coursework in the subsequent 3-week session. However, seniors who are not registered for 3 or 4 credits may not live in the residence halls during the 3-week session unless they are granted permission by going through the exception policy listed above.

Appeal Process for Grades

The Appeal Process for Grades received on an individual assignment should be discussed with the faculty member. Students with questions about a final grade should contact the instructor to ensure the accuracy of the recorded grade.

If the instructor agrees that a grade change is warranted, the instructor will take the case to the Academic Review Board (ARB). If, after discussion with the instructor, the student still believes that his or her grade resulted from prejudicial, capricious, or otherwise unjust evaluation, he or she may appeal using the following process and timeline.

Step One- to occur within 10 working days of official grade posting on Web4student: The student sends a formal letter of appeal to the instructor stating the rationale for the appeal and meets with the instructor to discuss the grade.

Step Two- to occur within 13 working days of official grade posting on Web4student: If the issue is not resolved, the student may appeal to the department chair, or, if the department chair has issued the grade in his or her faculty capacity, to the associate dean.

Step Three- within 15 working days of official grade posting on Web4student : If resolution is not reached within the department after every effort has been made, the student may write a formal letter of appeal to the associate dean stating the rationale for the appeal and request a hearing before the associate dean.

Step Four- within 18 working days of official grade posting on Web4student:

CLASS ATTENDANCE

In keeping with a strong liberal arts tradition that encourages active learning and complete participation in the education progress, Hiram College expects students to attend class. Specific attendance policies are set by individual instructors and indicated on the course syllabus at the beginning of each semester. Excessive absences by students and students on academic probation will be reported to the Dean of the College as well as Registrar, and could result in students being dropped from a course.