Catalog Information and Basic University Policies

The Catalog

The University’s eCatalog/mobile catalog is produced in the Office of Undergraduate Studies, which has overall responsibility for structure, layout, and editing. Steven Krentzman is the Webmaster.

The 2011-2014 print 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 assure the accuracy of the information in this catalog, students and others who use this 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, rules and policies 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 the campus. 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, school, or administrative office.

 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 campus or the California State University. The relationship of students to the campus and the California State University is one governed by statute, rules, and policy adopted by the Legislature, the Trustees, the Chancellor, the Presidents and their duly authorized designees.

Nondiscrimination Policy

Race, Color, Ethnicity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Religion and Veteran Status

The California State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, genetic information, religion or veteran status in its programs and activities, including admission and access. Federal and state laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the California Equity in Higher Education Act, prohibit such discrimination. Mariel Mulet, Equity and Diversity Manager, has been designated to coordinate the efforts of California State University, Los Angeles to comply with all applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on these bases. Inquiries concerning compliance may be presented to this person at 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, California 90032-8534, (323) 343-3040.

Disability

The California State University does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its programs and activities, including admission and access. Federal and state laws, including sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, prohibit such discrimination. Kimberly Clapp has been designated to coordinate the efforts of California State University, Los Angeles to comply with all applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability. Inquiries concerning compliance may be presented to this person at Office for Students with Disabilities, phone (323) 343 3140.

Sex/Gender/Gender Identity/Gender Expression/Sexual Orientation

The California State University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities, including admission and access. Federal and state laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, prohibit such discrimination. Mariel Mulet, has been designated to coordinate the efforts of California State University, Los Angeles to comply with all applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on these bases. Inquiries concerning compliance may be presented to this person at 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, California 90032-8534, (323) 343-3040. The California State University is committed to providing equal opportunities to male and female CSU students in all campus programs, including intercollegiate athletics.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects all people regardless of their gender or gender identity from sex discrimination, which includes sexual harassment and violence: 

• Sexual discrimination means an adverse act of sexual discrimination (including sexual harassment and sexual violence) that is perpetrated against an individual on a basis prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., and its implementing regulations, 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX); California Education Code §66250 et seq., and/or California Government Code §11135.

• Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that includes, but is not limited to, sexual violence, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, indecent exposure and other verbal, nonverbal or physical unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, where such conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that its effect, whether or not intended, could be considered by a reasonable person in the shoes of the individual, and is in fact considered by the individual, as limiting the individual’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or opportunities offered by the university. Sexual harassment also includes gender-based harassment, which may include acts of verbal, non-verbal or physical aggression, intimidation or hostility based on sex or sex-stereotyping, even if those acts do not involve conduct of a sexual nature.

• Sexual violence means physical sexual acts (such as unwelcome sexual touching, sexual assault, sexual battery and rape) perpetrated against an individual without consent or against an individual who is incapable of giving consent due to that individual’s use of drugs or alcohol, or disability.

• See further information in California State University, Los Angeles sexual violence prevention and education statement, which includes facts and myths about sexual violence at http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/hrm/title_ix.php

Whom to Contact If You Have Complaints, Questions or Concerns

Title IX requires the university to designate a Title IX Coordinator to monitor and oversee overall Title IX compliance. Your campus Title IX Coordinator is available to explain and discuss your right to file a criminal complaint (for example, in cases of sexual assault and violence); the university’s complaint process, including the investigation process; how confidentiality is handled; available resources, both on and off campus; and other related matters. If you are in the midst of an emergency, please call the police immediately by dialing 9-1-1.

Campus Title IX Coordinator:
• Mariel Mulet
• Mariel.Mulet@castatela.edu
• 323-343-3041
• M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

University Police
• John Hernandez, Interim Chief of Police
• North End of Lot 1
• 323-343-3700 Phone / 323-221-6350 Fax

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights:
• (800) 421-3481 or ocr@ed.gov

If you wish to fill out a complaint form online with the OCR, you may do so at: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html.

Title IX requires the university to adopt and publish complaint procedures that provide for prompt and equitable resolution of sex discrimination complaints, including sexual harassment and violence. CSU Executive Order 1074 (http://www.calstate.edu/eo/EO-1074.pdf) is the systemwide procedure for all complaints of discrimination, harassment or retaliation made by students against the CSU, a CSU employee, other CSU students or a third party.

Except in the case of a privilege recognized under California law (examples of which include Evidence Code §§1014 (psychotherapist-patient); 1035.8 (sexual assault counselor-victim); and 1037.5 (domestic violence counselor-victim), any member of the University community who knows of or has reason to know of sexual discrimination allegations shall promptly inform the campus Title IX Coordinator.

Regardless of whether an alleged victim of sexual discrimination ultimately files a complaint, if the campus knows or has reason to know about possible sexual discrimination, harassment or violence, it must review the matter to determine if an investigation is warranted. The campus must then take appropriate steps to eliminate any sex discrimination/harassment, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects.

Safety of the Campus Community is Primary

The university’s primary concern is the safety of its campus community members. The use of alcohol or drugs never makes the victim at fault for sexual discrimination, harassment or violence; therefore, victims should not be deterred from reporting incidents of sexual violence out of a concern that they might be disciplined for related violations of drug, alcohol or other university policies. Except in extreme circumstances, victims of sexual violence shall not be subject to discipline for related violations of the Student Conduct Code.

Information Regarding Campus, Criminal and Civil Consequences of Committing Acts of Sexual Violence

Individuals alleged to have committed sexual assault may face criminal prosecution by law enforcement and may incur penalties as a result of civil litigation. In addition, employees and students may face discipline at the university. Employees may face sanctions up to and including dismissal from employment, pursuant to established CSU policies and provisions of applicable collective bargaining unit agreements.

Students who are charged by the university with sexual discrimination, harassment or violence will be subject to discipline, pursuant to the California State University Student Conduct Procedures (see Executive Order 1073 at http://www.calstate.edu/eo/EO-1073.pdf) or any successor executive order) and will be subject to appropriate sanctions. In addition, during any investigation, the university may implement interim measures in order to maintain a safe and non-discriminatory educational environment. Such measures may include: immediate interim suspension from the university; a required move from university-owned or affiliated housing; adjustments to course schedule; and/or prohibition from contact with parties involved in the alleged incident.

Additional Resources

• California State University, Los Angeles’ sexual violence prevention and education statement, which includes facts and myths about sexual violence, at http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/hrm/title_ix.php

• U.S. Department of Education, regional office:
Office for Civil Rights
50 Beale Street, Suite 7200
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 486-5555
TDD (877) 521-2172

• U.S. Department of Education, national office:
Office for Civil Rights
(800) 872-5327

• Know Your Rights about Title IX
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/title-ix-rights-201104.html

California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (http://calcasa.org/)
1215 K. Street, Suite 1850
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 446-2520

• Domestic and Family Violence, Office of Justice Programs, United States Department of Justice
• National Institute of Justice: Intimate Partner Violence, Office of Justice Programs, United States Department of Justice
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
• Office of Violence against Women, United States Department of Justice
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Intimate Partner Violence
• Defending Childhood, United States Department of Justice

(Additional information may be found in Procedures and Regulations .)
 

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, International 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.