Catalog Information and Basic University Policies

The Catalog

The University’s General Catalog is prepared in the Office of Undergraduate Studies, which has overall responsibility for structure, layout, and editing, in collaboration with the Office of Public Affairs. Steven Krentzman is responsible for production, layout, and integration. Special assistance was provided by Kathy Numoto. Special acknowledgements are due the following for their contributions: Nadine Koch, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, for her curriculum expertise and editorial assistance; Public Affairs, for cover artwork, Bernard Kane, for photographs; Nancy Miron for editing; Reprographics, for design and typesetting of tables, and grids. Information contained in this issue is revised to June 15, 2009.

The catalog may be purchased in person or ordered by mail from the University Bookstore. The price, established under regulations of the Board of Trustees of the California State University, is $14.95. To order by mail, call the University Bookstore, (323) 343-2500, to obtain the cost for mailing. Send a request with check or money order to cover the cost of the catalog and mailing to: California State University, Los Angeles, Attention: University Bookstore, 5153 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032-8734. The catalog can be viewed online at www.calstatela.edu.

Changes in Rules and Policies

Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this catalog, students and others who use the catalog should note that laws, rules, and policies change from time to time and that these changes may alter the information contained in this publication. Changes may come in the form of statutes enacted by the Legislature, new or revised rules and polices adopted by the Board of Trustees of The California State University, by the Chancellor or designee of The California State University, or by the President or designee of California State University, Los Angeles. Further, it is not possible in a publication of this size to include all of the rules, policies, and other information that pertain to students, the institution, and The California State University. More current or complete information may be obtained from the appropriate department, division, school, college or administrative office, or in the Schedule of Classes.

Nothing in this catalog shall be construed as, operate as, or have the effect of an abridgment or a limitation of any rights, powers, or privileges of the Board of Trustees of the California State University, the Chancellor of the California State University, or the President of the campus. The Trustees, the Chancellor, and the President are authorized by law to adopt, amend, or repeal rules and policies that apply to students. This catalog does not constitute a contract or the terms and conditions of a contract between the student and the institution or the California State University. The relationship of the student to the institution is one governed by statute, rules, and policy adopted by the Legislature, the Trustees, the Chancellor, the President and their duly authorized designees.

Nondiscrimination Policy

Race, Color, and National Origin

The California State University complies with the requirements of Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as other applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination. No person shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in any program of the California State University.

Disability

The California State University does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and various state laws prohibit such discrimination. Inquiries concerning compliance may be addressed to the Office for Equity and Diversity, phone (323) 343-3040; the campus office assigned the administrative responsibility of reviewing such matters.

Sex/Gender

The California State University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender or sexual orientation in the educational programs or activities it conducts. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and certain other federal and state laws prohibit discrimination on these bases in education programs and activities operated by California State University, Los Angeles. Such programs and activities include admission of students and employment. Inquiries concerning the application these laws to programs and activities of California State University, Los Angeles may be referred to the Office for Equity and Diversity, Administration 606, (323) 343-3040; the campus office responsible for reviewing such matters or to the Regional Director of the Office for Civil Rights, United States Department of Education, 50 Beale Street, Suite 7200, San Francisco, California 94105.

The California State University is committed to providing equal opportunities to male and female CSU students in all campus programs, including intercollegiate athletics.

(Please see the Procedures and Regulations  section for details.)

Campus Nonviolence Policy

California State University, Los Angeles is committed to creating and maintaining a working, learning, and social environment for all members of the University community that is free from violence.

Civility, understanding, and mutual respect toward all members of the University community are intrinsic to excellence in teaching and learning, to the existence of a safe and healthful workplace, and to maintenance of a campus culture and environment that serves the needs of its many constituencies. Threats of violence or acts of violence not only impact the individuals concerned, but also the mission of the University to foster higher education through open dialogue and the free exchange of ideas. The University prohibits and will take decisive action to eliminate verbal harassment, violent acts, threats of violence, or any other behavior which by intent, action, or outcome harms another person. Such conduct is subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from employment, expulsion from the University, or civil or criminal prosecution as appropriate.

The University has no tolerance for violence against and by members of the University community. To fulfill this policy, the University will work to prevent violence from occurring and will ensure that federal and state laws, as well as University regulations prohibiting violence, are fully enforced. In determining whether conduct constitutes a credible threat or act of violence, the circumstances surrounding the conduct will be considered.

Established University faculty, staff, and student and Department of Public Safety procedures will serve as mechanisms for resolving situations of violence or threats of violence. Each allegation of violence or threat of violence will be taken seriously. Individuals are encouraged to report acts of violence, threats of violence, or any other behavior which by intent, act or outcome harms another person.

Approved by the Cal State L.A. Academic Senate and
President James M. Rosser - Summer 1996

Consensual Sexual Relations Between Faculty and Students

“Sexual relations between students and faculty members with whom they also have an academic or evaluative relationship are fraught with the potential for exploitation. The respect and trust accorded a professor by a student, as well as the power exercised by the professor in an academic or evaluative role, make voluntary consent by the student suspect. Even when both parties initially have consented, the development of a sexual relationship renders both the faculty member and the institution vulnerable to possible later allegations of sexual
harassment in light of the significant power differential that exists between faculty members and students.

“In their relationships with students, members of the faculty are expected to be aware of their professional responsibilities and avoid apparent or actual conflict of interest, favoritism, or bias.”*

It is unprofessional conduct for a faculty member to engage in any sexual relationship with a student while he or she is enrolled in that faculty member’s class, or if a faculty member is acting in any other capacity that may directly affect the student’s academic career.

Failure to follow these standards will be grounds for investigation or disciplinary action.

* The language in quotation marks is from the Statement adopted by the 81st Annual Meeting of the A.A.U.P.

Immigration Requirements for Licensure

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193), also known as the Welfare Reform Act, included provisions to eliminate eligibility for federal and state public benefits for certain categories of lawful immigrants as well as benefits for all illegal immigrants.

Students who will require a professional or commercial license provided by a local, state, or federal government agency in order to engage in an occupation for which the CSU may be training them must meet the immigration requirements of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act to achieve licensure. Information concerning these requirements is available from Amy Wang, Director, in the International Programs and Services Office, (323) 343-3170.

Privacy Rights of Students in Education Records

The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. 1232g) and regulations adopted thereunder (34 C.F.R. 99) and California Education Code, Section 67100 et seq., set out requirements designed to protect the privacy of students concerning their records maintained by the campus. Specifically, the statute and regulations govern access to records maintained by the campus and the release of such records. Please see Appendix F in this catalog for details.