CONSUMER INFORMATION

Looking for information on student demographics, public safety, graduation and retention rates, learning outcomes, and other general information about Williamson College of the Trades? This is a great starting place. Choose from any of the links below to find more information about your area of interest:

Williamson College of the Trades provides information regarding its educational programs on the University web site on our Academic Programs page and in our College Catalog.

Williamson is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and is approved and authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to confer the Associate in Specialized Technology Degree.

An institution’s accreditation does not guarantee that credits earned at that institution will be accepted for transfer by any other institution. Decisions concerning the acceptance of credits by any institution other than the granting institution are made at the sole discretion of the receiving institution. Students considering continuing their education at or transferring to other institutions must not assume that credits earned at this School will be accepted by the receiving institution. Students must contact the registrar of the receiving institution to determine what credits, if any, that institution will accept.

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Accreditation

“Middle States accreditation is an expression of confidence in an institution’s mission and goals, its performance, and its resources.  An institution is accredited when the educational community has verified that its goals are achieved through self-regulation and peer review. The extent to which each educational institution accepts and fulfills the responsibilities inherent in the process of accreditation is a measure of its commitment to striving for and achieving excellence in its endeavors.

MSCHE Accreditation Standards and Requirements of Affiliation serve as an ongoing guide for institutions. Accredited institutions are expected to demonstrate compliance with these standards and requirements, to conduct their activities in a manner consistent with the standards and requirements, and to engage in ongoing processes of self-review and improvement” (MSCHE, Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation, 13^th ed., p.1).

MSCHE Requirements of Affiliation and Standards

To better serve its students, to provide additional opportunities for self-reflection, and to enhance partnerships with other institutions of higher education, Williamson College of the Trades is pursuing MSCHE accreditation. This webpage provides information about this process.

In 2018, Williamson applied for candidacy and submitted an Accreditation Readiness Report (ARR).

In 2020, the revised ARR was accepted.

Current phase: Candidate

Accreditation status: Candidate status granted

In Spring 2022, Williamson submitted its Self-Study Design. The revised Design was accepted, signaling the start of the Self-Study in 2022-2023.

Self-Study Evaluation: 2023-2024

Williamson annually provides detailed information regarding College Crime Statistics, and campus security practices, including emergency response and evacuation procedures, timely warnings, missing persons and crime log policies. A paper copy of this report is available upon request by contacting the office of the Vice President of Plans & Operations. Additional information, including a copy of the College’s crime log also is available by contacting the office of the Dean of Students. To view a copy of the College’s Annual Security Report online, please go to the Community and Public Safety page.

Please refer to Williamson’s Informational Technology Policy Letter (PDF) for more information.

Williamson’s Copyright Infringement and Peer-to-Peer File Sharing policies can be found on the Education Policies and Statistics page.

Williamson College of the Trades complies with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989.

  STATEMENT OF ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY  
Williamson College of the Trades, in order to promote its fundamental mission, has adopted a zero tolerance policy for the use, possession, distribution, or manufacture of illicit or illegal drugs or the consumption or possession of alcohol. The College will not tolerate any use, possession, distribution, or manufacture of illicit or illegal drugs by any student or employee on campus, off campus, or while attending any school sponsored or sanctioned event. Such actions may result in dismissal of the student; an employee may be subject to discharge.

For the student, the consumption or possession of alcohol is strictly prohibited and may result in dismissal. Additional information on this policy can be found in the Student Handbook. In addition to any punishment imposed by the College, any student or employee suspected of violating any federal, state, or local law proscribing the use, possession, distribution, or manufacture of illicit or illegal drugs, will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

  DRUG TESTING POLICY  
The College reserves the right to require a drug test from a student or employee where there is a reasonable suspicion that the College’s drug free policy has been violated. Williamson also conducts periodic random drug testing of its student body. Failure to submit to a drug test is a violation of the College’s disciplinary policy and will result in dismissal.

  LEGAL SANCTIONS FOR USE, POSSESSION, OR DISTRIBUTION OF ILLICITOR ILLEGAL DRUGS AND ALCOHOL  
Under State law, if you are under 21 and you possess a fake ID or falsify an ID card to misrepresent your age, or purchase, attempt to purchase, use, or transport alcoholic beverages, you will lose your driver’s license on the first conviction.

• First offense – 90-day mandatory suspension
• Second Offense – 1-year suspension
• Third Offense – 2-year suspension

You will pay a fine of up to $500.00 and it will cost $25.00 to get your license back. Your parents will be notified and, if the courts stipulate, you’ll be required to complete an alcohol education or counseling program. Moreover, it is unlawful for any person to sell, furnish, or give any liquor, or permit any liquor to be sold, furnished, or given to any person visibly intoxicated or to any minors (persons less than 21 years of age). Violation carries a minimum $1,000.00 fine for the first offense and a $2,500.00 fine for second and further offenses. Maximum penalty: $2,500.00 and one-year imprisonment.

State and federal law forbids the possession or consumption of illegal drugs or narcotics.  Federal, and state law forbids the possession of illegal drugs or narcotics, such as cocaine, barbiturates, hallucinogens or other illegal, addictive substances. The sale, use, possession or manufacture of such illegal substances is strictly forbidden. The sale, use or possession of drug paraphernalia such as rolling papers, bongs, pipes and the like are also forbidden on campus. Infraction of these laws constitutes a major violation of campus policy.

A violation of Pennsylvania’s Controlled Substance, Drug Device, and Cosmetic Act calls for widely varying penalties depending on the nature of the offense (e.g. sale versus possession), the type of drug involved, the quantity of drugs involved and whether the individual’s offense is a first, second, third or subsequent offense. A violation of the several federal statutes governing the sale and possession of drugs also calls for widely varying penalties.

Federal law makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture, distribute, create, or dispense or to possess with the intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances. Title 21 of United States Code provides terms of imprisonment and fines for violations of this Act. The nature of the offense and whether the person has committed any previous unlawful acts under the statute will determine the term of imprisonment as well as the amount of any fine.

  HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF ILLICIT DRUGS OR ALCOHOL  
Medical studies indicate that users of illicit or illegal drugs or alcohol can suffer from a wide range of medical and psychological problems. Those problems can be as mild as depression or as severe as permanent brain damage, or death. At the very least, use of these substances can impair one’s ability to learn and function in society. This promotes poor application to academics as shown by poor study habits, lack of concentration, and loss of self-esteem. Additional information on the health risks associated with the use of alcohol and illicit or illegal drugs is available through the campus health clinic, or online through the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention (http://www.edc.org)

  RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS REGARDING ALCOHOL AND ILLICIT OR ILLEGAL DRUGS  

Substance Abuse Treatment Locator
http://www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
Phone: 1-800-662-HELP
This Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website and toll-free phone line help individuals locate drug and alcohol abuse treatment programs in their communities.

AlcoholScreening.org
www.alcoholscreening.org
This free, confidential website lets individuals privately assess their own drinking habits and receive personalized feedback to help them determine if they need help to change those habits. Individuals can also find out about facilities in their communities that offer drug and alcohol abuse treatment and consultations with qualified health professionals regarding alcohol problems.

Al-Anon/Alateen
Phone: 888-4AL-ANON
www.al-anon.org
Al-Anon provides information on the effects of alcohol abuse and refers friends and families of alcohol abusers to nearby support groups. Al-Anon’s purpose is to help families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with a relative or friend with a drinking problem. Alateen is the organization’s program for young people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Phone: 212-870-3400
www.aa.org
AA offers a way to stop drinking to individuals who feel they have a problem with alcohol. AA groups are located in most cities and rural communities throughout the country. Look up “Alcoholics Anonymous” in a local telephone directory for a contact in your area.

American Council on Alcoholism
Phone: 800-527-5344
www.aca-usa.org
This service provides referrals to alcoholism treatment programs nationwide and distributes written materials on alcohol abuse problems.

Cocaine Anonymous
Phone: 800-347-8998
www.ca.org
Cocaine Anonymous provides support for people dependent on cocaine and other mind-altering substances. Callers are referred to local helplines.

Nar-Anon
Phone: 800-477-6291
www.nar-anon.org
This worldwide program provides support for friends and families of individuals with substance abuse problems.

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Hope line
Phone: 800-NCA-CALL
www.ncadd.org
This organization, a planning and oversight agency for public substance abuse treatment programs, provides written information on alcohol and drug abuse and referrals to treatment and counseling services nationwide.

Rehabs.org
https://rehabs.org/centers/pennsylvania/media/
Website and free service providing reliable and non-biased information regarding every treatment center in the country. Service is dedicated to assist individuals and their families suffering from addiction find resources best suited to their individual situation and needs.

FERPA is the federal law that governs the rights of students and institutional responsibilities with respect to student records. If you have any questions regarding any of the information contained herein, please refer to the College FERPA Fact Sheet (PDF) or contact the college office of the Registrar.

  WHAT IS FERPA?  
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, commonly referred to as FERPA or the Buckley amendment, is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of a student’s educational record. FERPA applies to all educational agencies or institutions that receive federal funding for any program administered by the Secretary of Education. FERPA also applies to private entities that contract to perform services for the College that it would otherwise undertake to perform on its own; in such cases, the private entity must observe the same FERPA protections applicable to the University. FERPA grants adult students (18 and older) the following rights:

• The right to inspect and review their educational records
• The right to seek the amendment of their educational records
• The right to consent to the disclosure of their educational records
• The right to obtain a copy of their school’s Student Records Policy
• The right to file a complaint with the FERPA Office in Washington, D.C.

  FERPA BASICS  

• With only a few exceptions, student educational records are considered confidential and may not be released without the written consent of the student
• Faculty or staff members have a responsibility to protect educational records in their possession. Additionally, faculty or staff members may only access information that is needed for legitimate completion of their responsibilities as a college employee.

  WHAT IS AN EDUCATION RECORD?  
“Education Records” include any information or data recorded in any medium, including but not limited to, handwriting, print, tapes, film, e-mail, microfilm, and microfiche, which is directly related to a student and maintained by the College or by a person acting for the College.

  EXAMPLES OF AN EDUCATION RECORD INCLUDE:  

• Admissions information for students who are accepted and enrolled
• Biographical information including date and place of birth, gender, nationality, information about race and ethnicity, and identification photographs
• Grades, test scores, evaluations, courses taken, academic specialization and activities, and official communications regarding a student’s status
• Course work including papers and exams, class schedules, as well as written, email or recorded communications that are part of the academic process
• Disciplinary records
• Students’ financial and financial aid records
• Internship program records

  ACCESS TO STUDENT EDUCATION RECORDS  
In general, the college will not release “personally identifiable information” from a student’s education record without the student’s prior written consent provided through a Student Consent Form, kept on file with the Registrar’s Office. However, please note FERPA allows disclosure without student consent under the following circumstances:

• School employees who have a “legitimate educational interest” in the records in order to perform their duties
• Other schools where a student seeks to enroll or is enrolled
• Accrediting organizations
• Organizations doing certain studies for or on behalf of the College
• Appropriate parties to determine eligibility, amount or conditions of financial aid, or to enforce the terms and conditions of aid
• Parents of a “dependent student,” as defined in the Internal Revenue Code.
• Certain government officials of the U. S. Department of Education, the Comptroller General, and state and local educational authorities, in connection with an audit, authorized representatives of the U. S. Attorney General for law enforcement purposes or state or federally supported education programs
• Individuals who have obtained a judicial order or subpoena
• School officials who have a need to know concerning disciplinary action taken against a student
• Appropriate parties who need to know in cases of health and safety emergencies when necessary to protect the student and/or others
• An alleged victim of a crime of violence or non-forcible sexual offense has a right to learn the results of a disciplinary proceeding conducted by the institution against the alleged perpetrator of the crime.
• Information regarding any violation of college policy or state, federal or local law, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance may be released to the parents or legal guardian of a student under the age of 21
• Those requesting “directory information” on a student provided the student has not requested his or her information be withheld

  DIRECTORY INFORMATION / WHAT DOES WILLIAMSON GIVE OUT?  
Williamson designates the following items as Directory Information to include the student’s: name, dates of attendance at Williamson, program/field of study, degree received (including dates), participation in officially recognized activities,academic or other College awards or honors received, photographs, weight and height of students on athletic teams, students’ and parents’ electronic mailing address, enrollment status, and hometown (city andstate).

Because directory information is considered public, the College may release such information to anyone without student consent provided that the student has not requested a directory restriction.

  RESTRICTING RELEASE OF INFORMATION  
The College may disclose to third-parties any student information that it has designated as Directory Information, provided that the student has not restricted such information from disclosure. Students must request a restriction in writing to the College Registrar. Students who wish to restrict their names should realize that their names will not appear in the commencement bulletin and other college publications.

  FILING A COMPLAINT  
Students have a right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605

Contact Information for assistance in obtaining institutional or other financial aid is available on the College’s Financial Aid page. Financial Aid information is available both online and as a paper copy through the Financial Aid office.

Williamson annually provides information on campus fire safety policies, fire prevention activity data, and any fire-related incident that occurs within on-campus housing. This information can be found on the Community and Public Safety page. A paper copy of this report is available upon request.

For more information on what our graduates do after graduation, please go to the Education Policies and Statistics page of the website.

For more information on Williamson’s Graduation Rate, please go to the Education Policies and Statistics page of the website.

For more information on Williamson’s Net Price Calculator please go to the College’s Financial Aid page.

Information regarding the costs of attending Williamson College of the Trades is posted on the Cost of Attendance page.

Williamson College of the Trades is committed to safeguarding confidential information for its students and employees. College policy (PDF) implements administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to:

• Ensure the security of any confidential information in the College’s custody in all forms, no matter if that information is contained electronically, written, or in any other format.
• Protect confidential information against any threats or hazards of integrity, unauthorized access, or unauthorized use.

  DEFINITIONS  

Confidential Information

Confidential Information means any information not exempted in specific legislation and identified as personal, sensitive, or confidential such as personally-identifiable information, individually-identifiable health information, education records, and non-public information as specified in all applicable federal or state laws, plus Williamson College policies. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to, the following examples:

• Social Security number
• Physical description
• Home address
• Home telephone number
• Ethnicity
• Gender
• Education (except student records which are exempted by FERPA)
• Financial matters
• Performance evaluations
• Verbal or written statements made by or attributed to the individual
• Medical and employment history
• Social Security number
• Driver’s license number
• Account number, e.g., identification number, credit or debit card number in combination with any required security code, access code, or password that would permit access to an individual’s financial account.

Confidential information may include individually-identifiable health information. This includes any information, including demographic information collected from an individual, created or received by a health care provider, health plan, employer, or health care clearinghouse. This includes information that relates to the past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual, the provision of health care to the individual, or the identification of the individual.

In addition, electronic confidential information is defined as any electronic format which includes an individual’s first name or first initial and last name or education in combination with any one or more of the following data elements, when either the individual’s name or the data elements are not encrypted:

• Social Security number
• Driver’s license number
• Account number, e.g., identification number, credit or debit card number in combination with any required security code, access code, or password that would permit access to an individual’s financial account.

Unauthorized Disclosure

Unauthorized Disclosure means to disclose, release, transfer, disseminate, or otherwise communicate all or any part of any record orally, in writing, or by electronic or any other means to any person or entity.

  COLLEGE PRACTICES IN SAFEGUARDING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION  

All confidential information must be cared for with the appropriate level of physical and electronic (logical) security. When working with confidential information the College takes on the custodial responsibilities for that information. Thus each person who access this information also has the responsibility to:

• Identify
• Protect
• Communicate
• Maintain

These terms are defined below. Note: These lists are not exhaustive. Each of them are provided to serve as included examples. As technology develops, each of these lists should be expanded to cover additional techniques and devices as appropriate.

  IDENTIFY  

Identify and inventory where confidential information is stored, processed, or transmitted. Here are some examples:

Confidential information

• E-mails
• Electronic documents
• Printed information (paper)

Computer information systems

• Desktop computers
• Laptops / notebook computers
• Mobile devices

Local storage device

• Hard drive
• Internal memory sticks/cards

Removable media

• External hard drives
• CD or DVD (optical)
• USB-devices

Remote storage device

• Shared/mapped drive
• Network Attached Storage (NAS)
• Storage Attached Network (SAN)

  PROTECT  

Protect confidential information against unauthorized access, unauthorized use, loss, or damage. The College maintains a custodial partnership with each individual who accesses its network. Specific policies and procedures in exercising this partnership is the responsibility of the both the institution and individual to include:

• Individual: Do not share or disclose personal authentication credentials, such as user-ids and passwords or other forms of electronic authentication with other individuals.
• Individual: Do not use personal credentials for authentication to provide other individuals with access to any information systems containing confidential information.
• The College: Maintain up to date and install all appropriate security software updates in all computer workstations and laptops and software applications
• The College: Install and maintain antivirus software in all computer workstations and laptops and set them to auto-update to install the latest antivirus signatures.
• The College and Individual: Keep portable equipment and storage devices such as CD, DVD, USB drives, or other removable storage media in an appropriately access limited location.
• The Individual: Do not leave computer equipment or portable storage devices unattended.
• The College: Use boot-up (BIOS) passwords for appropriate computer systems and set strong authentication for all user accounts, including any accounts with administrative rights.
• The College: Enable screen savers with authentication (Locking passwords) for all computer systems.
• The Individual: Use caution when accessing e-mail, and do not trust any unexpected e-mails. Never open an attachment without first verifying its type and checking it with an antivirus program. If in doubt, delete it, and/or contact the sender first.
• The Individual: Position monitors and printers so that others cannot see or obtain confidential or sensitive data.
• The Individual: Log out, shut down, or lock the system when leaving your computer unattended at any time.
• The College: Physical safeguards (keys, cipher locks, passwords, etc.) which are used to secure confidential information are changed regularly, including every time someone who formerly had authorized access either leaves college employment, no longer has job requirements which require access, or a key securing such access is lost, stolen or unaccounted for.

  COMMUNICATE  

Individual accessing the College’s network have a responsibility to communicate with care to include:

• Promptly reporting any possible unauthorized access, use or loss of information or an information system to your immediate supervisor.
• Never send confidential information using non-secure applications such as IM, Chat programs or regular e-mail.
• Never send sensitive information to e-mail accounts other than on-campus accounts. Use an authenticated method of distribution when on-campus accounts are not available.
• Always use an authenticated and approved protocol for remote communication when accessing critical servers or resources containing personal or confidential information. Use the campus VPN when accessing any critical servers such as CMS or SIS from off campus.
• Get appropriate authorization before taking College equipment off-site.

  MAINTAIN  

The College and Individual must work in partnership to:

• Maintain confidentiality, integrity, and access measures up-to-date.
• Securely dispose of unnecessary confidential information in an approved manner.
• Remove any confidential and private information that it is no longer needed. This will minimize the liability in case the computer becomes infected or compromised.
• Ensure that confidential, sensitive, or personal data is properly cleansed from internal disks or removable media prior to disposal or transfer to others. Seek authoritative advice on disposing of equipment and data.

In his Foundation Deed, Isaiah Williamson charged the college to undertake “the moral and religious training of the scholars.” To that end, and as part of its mission to foster the values of faith, integrity, diligence, excellence, and service, the college has established a Conduct Code. The code is designed: to protect the rights of each individual in the Williamson community; to provide a clean, safe, and well-ordered community with an atmosphere conducive to education; and to help students entering careers in business and industry develop the responsibility, discipline, respect for authority, and ability to follow instructions that are essential for success.

There is a philosophical understanding that a Williamson education molds young men by creating standards towards which each student is expected to rise. Consequently, there is a greater expectation of Seniors than of Juniors and a greater expectation of Juniors than of Freshmen. As such, disciplinary standards in the Conduct Code have been developed to reflect the greater emphasis on positive leadership and responsibility as the student progresses through his education at Williamson. It does not include every possible sub-classification of the offenses indicated, but offers a general guide to the rules governing the conduct of individual students and student groups. Because admission to Williamson is a privilege, it is assumed that the college’s regulations will be followed diligently.

Specific information on the Student Code of Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook on the Code of Conduct page.

Williamson College of the Trades is committed to providing a quality educational experience for all students. This includes ensuring that students have access to the appropriate resources for registering formal complaints. This section provides students with information on the College’s complaint policies and procedures. (For general questions about complaint policies and procedures, contact Dr. Samuel Wrightson, Dean of Education: swrightson@williamson.edu.)

  INFORMAL RESOLUTION PROCESS:  

•  The first step for a student to challenge a College action or decision is to seek an informal resolution with the person responsible for the decision or action, or with the person’s immediate supervisor. If the complaint is not resolved informally, students may file a formal complaint using formal resolution procedures.

  FORMAL RESOLUTION PROCESS:  

• A formal complaint is a written request to initiate a formal review procedure and includes:
  • A statement of the issue
  • The College policy or procedure violated
  • A summary of the student’s attempt at informal resolution
  • A list of potential witnesses
  • Supporting documents, and
  • The desired outcome
• Students should direct formal complaints to the Dean of Education, who will initiate action to resolve the complaint or will inform the student of the appropriate procedure, if any, for review of the action or decision in dispute. A written record of actions taken will be kept in the Dean of Education Office.
• The formal complaint procedure concludes with the College issuing a written decision, identified as the “Final Decision,” after which point the matter under dispute will not be reviewed further by the College.

  ACCREDITING COMMISSION OF CAREER SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES PROCESS:  

Colleges accredited by ACCSC must have a procedure and operational plan for handling student complaints. If a student does not feel that the college has adequately addressed a complaint or concern, the student may consider contacting the Accrediting Commission. All complaints reviewed by the Commission must be in written form and should grant permission for the Commission to forward a copy of the complaint to the college for a response. This can be accomplished by filing the ACCSC Complaint Form. The complainant(s) will be kept informed as to the status of the complaint as well as the final resolution by the Commission.

Please direct all inquiries to the Commission:

Accrediting Commission of Career Schools & Colleges
2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 302
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 247-4212
www.accsc.org or complaints@accsc.org

A copy of the ACCSC Complaint Form is available at the college and may be obtained by contacting complaints@accsc.org or at https://www.accsc.org/Student-Corner/Complaints.aspx.

  PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROCESS:  

General information regarding the Pennsylvania Department of Education complaint process can be found on its website under Complaint Procedures:

https://www.education.pa.gov/Postsecondary-Adult/CollegeCareer/Pages/Students-Complaints.aspx

For additional information, please contact the Department of Education:

Division of Higher Education, Access, and Equity
Pennsylvania Department of Education-Postsecondary and Adult Education
333 Market Street, 12^th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Phone: 717.783.8228
Fax: 717.722.3622
Email: RA-HigherEducation@pa.gov

Williamson welcomes a diverse group of students to our campuses. For information on student diversity, including the breakdown self-identified members of specific racial and ethnic groups, and federal Pell Grant recipients, please go to the Education Policies and Statistics page of the website.

Information regarding the support services provided to students with disabilities, can be found on Education Policies and Statistics page of the website or the College Catalog.

Williamson College of the Trades is fully committed to a safe and secure learning environment for all of its students. As such, Hazing, in any form, is strictly prohibited at Williamson. Students should not tolerate such behavior, as it does not promote the core values and trust, upon which Williamson was founded. Individuals and organizations found in violation of these policies will be held accountable. Students should report any concerns or incidents of hazing immediately to members of the administration, faculty, or staff. Permission or approval by a person being hazed is not a defense.

Code of Student Conduct – Statement on Hazing

Hazing is absolutely prohibited. At Williamson, the term ‘hazing’ means any action or situation that:

• recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of an individual, or
• destroys or removes public or private property

for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, any organization or program operating either (1) as organization or group recognized by the College or (2) operating independently of such College recognition, that is, without College approval.

The term shall include, but not be limited to:

• any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics,
• exposure to the elements,
• forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other sub-stance,
• any other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health and safety of the individual,

and shall include any activity which would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as

• sleep deprivation,
• forced exclusion from social contact,
• forced conduct, which is indecent, obscene, or could result in extreme embarrassment, or
• any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual, or any willful destruction or removal of public or private property.

For purposes of this Code, any activity as described in this definition upon which the initiation or admission into or affiliation with or continued membership in an organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be ‘forced’ activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding.

In the case of individuals, sanctions may range from probation to expulsion. In the case of organizations or programs, sanctions may range from suspension to removal of the organization or program from the College. The prohibition against hazing applies to acts conducted on or off campus whenever such acts are deemed by the university to constitute hazing.

Williamson is fully compliant with Title 24 of the Pennsylvania consolidated statutes:

Section 5352: Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, any organization operating under the sanctions of or recognized as an organization by an institution of higher education. The term shall include, but not be limited to, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance, or any other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health and safety of the individual, and shall include any activity which would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual, or any willful destruction or removal of public or private property. For the purposes of this definition, any activity as described in this definition upon which the initiation or admission into or affiliation with or continued membership in an organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be “forced” activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding.

Williamson College Anti-Hazing Report – August 2019

Information regarding the College’s student refund policy is available on the Cost of Attendance page.

Student Textbook & Supplies lists, by academic program, are available on the Cost of Attendance page.

Williamson College of the Trades is committed to providing an educational and employment environment conducive to its mission and one that is free from sexual harassment. We are dedicated to ensuring a safe campus climate for our students, residents, and employees. Through a comprehensive compliance, investigative, and adjudication program, we promote fundamental rights, individual, and institutional integrity in alignment with our institutional mission, core values, and Title IX legislation.

Williamson College does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX provides that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Williamson’s Title IX program applies to all students and employees in the scope of the college’s programs and activities. For the purpose of the Title IX policy, a college program or activity includes locations, events, or circumstances over which the college exercises substantial control over both the participants and the context in which the sexual harassment occurred whether on or off campus. It also includes any building, owned or controlled by the college, and/or any organization that is officially recognized by the college. Reports or formal complaints alleging sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, or retaliation may be filed at any time, including non-business hours, in person, by mail or by electronic mail, to:

Title IX Coordinator: Dr. Todd Zachary
Williamson College of the Trades, Rowan Hall
106 S. New Middletown Road, Media, PA 19063
Phone: 610-566-1776 ext. 252, or cell 267-240-7116
Email: tzachary@williamson.edu

For more information, please refer to the Williamson Title IX Policy Manual, or contact the College’s Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Todd Zachary at (610) 566-1776 ext. 252.

Title IX Staff Training:

• Title IX Coordinator Training – Part 1 of 3
• Title IX Coordinator Training – Part 2 of 3
• Title IX Coordinator Training – Part 3 of 3
• Title IX Investigator Training
• Title IX Decision-maker Training

For information regarding transferring of credits and Williamson’s articulation agreements, please refer to the Education Policies and Statistics page of the website

Williamson strongly supports everyone’s right to be heard. Every vote does count, so don’t let others decide for you; ensure that you are registered to vote. Registration forms are available through the Dean of Students office. For Pennsylvania residents, download your Voter Registration Form online.

Williamson is committed to facilitating open and honest communications relevant to its governance, finances, and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Williamson requires Trustees, volunteers, and employees to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. Employees and representatives of the organization must practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling their responsibilities and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

  THE BASICS

Williamson’s Whistleblower Policy reflects the practices and principles of behavior that support this commitment. It is important that Williamson administration, faculty, and staff be apprised of unlawful or improper behavior including, but not limited to, any of the following conduct:

• Theft;
• Financial reporting which is fraudulent, intentionally misleading or negligent;
• Improper or undocumented financial transactions;
• Forgery or alteration of documents;
• Unauthorized alteration or manipulation of computer files;
• Improper destruction of records;
• Improper use of Williamson assets, including, but not limited to its funds, supplies, intellectual property and other assets;
• Improper access and or use of confidential donor information;
• Authorizing or receiving compensation for goods not received or services not performed;
• Violations of Williamson’s conflict-of-interest policy;
• Any other improper occurrence regarding cash, financial procedures, or reporting;
• Any abuse of or discrimination against a Williamson employee, client, vendor or person connected with a Williamson member;
• A failure by Williamson to provide reasonable accommodation for disability or religious belief.

Williamson values this input. Individuals should feel free to raise issues of concern, in good faith, without fear of retaliation. Williamson will take appropriate action, including legal prosecution when warranted, against those found to have engaged in fraudulent, dishonest, abusive or discriminatory conduct.

Whistleblowers who believe that they have been retaliated against may file a written complaint with the Audit Committee Chair. Any complaint of retaliation will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective measures taken if allegations of retaliation are substantiated

Individuals reporting a concern must act in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates an improper accounting or auditing practice, or a violation of Williamson’s policies. The act of making allegations maliciously, recklessly, or with the foreknowledge that the allegations are false, will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense and may result in discipline, up to and including termination of employment.

  REPORTING A CONCERN  

Individuals should report their concern in writing to the Senior Vice President/Chief of Staff or President. If the employee feels either of these parties is the subject of the concern, he/she may direct his/her concern to the Williamson Board of Trustees Chairman, or the Chair of the Audit Committee using the email address: Whistleblower@williamson.edu.

Additional information can be located in the Student Handbook on the Code of Conduct page or the Employee Handbook.