About This Catalog

1.1 Student Responsibility for Catalog Contents

1. All students are held responsible to know, understand, and abide by the contents of the Academic Catalog and for reviewing e-mail from The Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law (the School) to be informed of amendments.
    
2. The School will communicate to students about matters covered in this Catalog and otherwise, only through the student’s “JURIS” e-mail account, as issued upon enrollment with the domain address “@juris.collegesoflaw.edu”. Each student is responsible for checking that “JURIS” e-mail account regularly to be aware of such communications. See Section 5.1.B .
    
3. Following registration for the academic year, students will be notified by e-mail of the availability of an electronic copy of this Catalog on the Gateway (https://My.CollegesofLaw.edu/). A hard copy may also be obtained at the Administration Office at each campus, upon request.

1.2 Scope of Catalog

1. The Academic Catalog is not a contract and can be changed at any time. It contains important disclosures and information for Colleges of Law applicants and students. It describes the School’s programs, course offerings, admissions requirements, enrollment expectations, federal/state requirements, academic requirements, course descriptions, financial aid and related responsibilities, student rights and responsibilities, and general policies and procedures by which the School operates in the ordinary course of activities. The Catalog is current as of its effective date; an updated version will be published annually. The School may also publish clarifications separate from the Catalog; it retains the right to, at any time, make modifications or exceptions to its course offerings, policies, procedures, and standards. Such changes will be applicable to students enrolled at the time the modification or exception is made.
    
2. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, this Catalog, this document, the Academic Catalog, and similar references refer to this Catalog and its amendments. In the event of conflict between provisions of this Catalog and any other policy information issued by the School (including, but not limited to, its official website), the provisions of this document, as amended from time to time, control. Final authority to interpret all policies and documents is vested in the CEO, whose interpretations are binding on all persons.

1.3 Amendments to Catalog and Forms

1. The School reserves the right to amend this Catalog at any time without publishing a new Catalog. Through such amendment, the School has the unconditional right to change, extend, or revoke any policy, program, or service. Authority to amend this Catalog is vested in the CEO, subject to the ultimate direction and control of the Board of Trustees. To be effective, all such amendments must be in writing and approved by the CEO. Amendments will be made by inclusion in a completely updated and republished version of this Catalog or by separate posting for a period of at least two weeks on the Gateway (https://My.CollegesofLaw.edu/.) All such amendments are deemed incorporated into this Catalog and will be effective as of the date stated in the amendment. If no effective date is stated, the amendment will be effective as of the earlier of the first day it is posted on the Gateway, or the date of the first updated version of this Catalog in which such amendments are included. No amendment concerning the cost of tuition or fees will be effective earlier than the semester/session following the semester/session in which a notification of the proposed change is posted. Except as required to comply with federal or state laws or regulations, or the rules and guidelines of the Committee of Bar Examiners or WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), no amendment concerning academic standing, disqualification, advancement, retention, probation or graduation will be effective earlier than the semester/session following the semester/session in which a notification of the change is posted.
    
2. Forms used at the School are subject to amendment without notice and at any time. Students are responsible for using updated forms as available on the Gateway (https://My.CollegesofLaw.edu/.)

1.4 Extraordinary Circumstances

1. In emergency or extraordinary situations, as defined by the CEO or the Board of Trustees, and in situations that, in the Administration’s opinion, are not clearly covered by this Catalog or other separately published policies, the School will respond to and resolve the situation in a fair and reasonable manner after considering the circumstances. Such resolution may conflict with provisions of this Catalog or with other separately published policies.
    
2. Examples of such emergencies or other situations include, but are not limited to, damage to or inaccessibility of the School’s facilities; unavailability of personnel; failure of any employee or agent of the School to follow policy; and disruptions that hinder the ability of the School to carry on customary functions or to provide customary services as scheduled.

1.5 Waiver

Should a student face an extenuating circumstance that necessitates a request for exception to certain institutional policies, the student may present a case for the desired exception by presenting a Petition for Policy Exception. Exceptions to certain policies may be granted on a discretionary basis after review by the Committee on Policy Exception, which is managed by the Office of the President. Filing a petition in no way guarantees that a policy exception will be granted.

Any such Petition shall be presented to the Committee on Policy Exception in a letter signed and dated by the student, setting forth the student’s request and all relevant facts supporting the request; copies of any relevant documents (such as medical records) should be attached.

The Petition for Policy Exception may not be used to appeal a disciplinary decision, appeal a grade, or seek waiver of rules regarding advancement on probation or readmission after academic disqualification. The petition may not be used for accessibility accommodation. A student requiring accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act must follow the process outlined in the applicable section of this Catalog.

Any waiver or exception granted by the Committee applies only to the specific person and instance involved and is not to be deemed or construed as a waiver or exception for any other person or instance. No waiver or exception shall be effective unless evidenced in writing and signed by the Chair of the Committee on Policy Exception. The decision of the Committee is final as to any policy within its authority.

1.6 Definitions

When used in this document: