Students are free to organize and participate in associations or organizations of their choosing, given that the associations or organizations are not discriminatory towards any members of the College community and are not operated in a manner which jeopardizes the academic community or the rights of others.

Freedom of association may not be forbidden because of the philosophical or political objectives of the association or organization.

Campus groups, organizations or clubs may not represent the actions or views of the group, organization, or club as those of the College.

Recognized Campus groups are those that are organized by BHDI students for a stated purpose and have official recognition from BHDI. Affiliation with an external organization may not disqualify a student group from official College recognition, or use of facilities; however, BHDI reserves the right to institute provisions deemed necessary to ensure the autonomy of campus groups.

Students and/or campus groups may support causes in orderly and peaceful assembly, which does not infringe upon the rights of others.

Student and/or campus groups shall make it known that the views expressed by the student and/or campus group are those of the student and/or campus group and do not represent the views of the College.

Students or campus groups may hold events on campus, but are subject to the College’s policies and procedures for holding events. It shall also be made known that sponsorship of events or a guest speaker does not imply endorsement or approval by the College of the views expressed.

While faculty members are awarded Academic Freedom in the classroom under the Academic Freedom Policy, it is also the College’s philosophy that the primary focus of the classroom is for study and understanding of described subject matter for which the faculty member has professional responsibility and accountability.

Control of the classroom, order and direction of class, as well as the scope of the subject matter rests on the individual faculty member.

Faculty members should protect students in the classroom from disruption by students or others who may be in disagreement with the manner in which the faculty member demonstrates his or her responsibilities.

Students have the following rights in the classroom:

• The right to be informed at the beginning of each class about the nature of the course, the course expectations, evaluation standards, and the grading system used.
• The right to disagree with or take reasonable exception to information or views offered in the classroom.
• The right of protection against improper disclosure of information concerning grades, views, beliefs, or character that an instructor acquires through the student/teacher relationship.
• The right to appeal many decisions made by the institution.

Beverly Hills Design Institute does not discriminate in admissions, advising, training, career assistance, employment, or in any activity on the basis of factors including but not limited to: sex, age, race, color, national origin, creed, religion, gender, age, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, political affiliation, creed, religion, disability or a handicap which would not prohibit employment.

This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, access, and treatment in College programs and activities.

BHDI has an obligation to apply its rules and policies equally to all students who are similarly situated. If in violation of any rules or policies, the College will adhere to procedural fairness.

BHDI is committed to providing qualified students with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 an equal opportunity to achieve success.

Students who have been diagnosed with learning, emotional, and/or physical disabilities are entitled to certain accommodations in the classroom upon submission of the appropriate documentation.

Students are not required to disclose their disabilities to the school, however disability accommodations will not be automatically provided unless the student (or his/her legal guardian) requests that such provisions be arranged. Requests for disability accommodations must be made through the Admissions Office.

In order to determine if accommodations are appropriate we require that the student provide documentation prepared by an appropriate professional, such as a medical doctor, psychologist or other qualified diagnostician.

The required documentation should include:

• A diagnosis of your current disability;
• The date of the diagnosis;
• How the diagnosis was reached;
• The credentials of the professional;
• How your disability affects a major life activity;
• A clear statement of the functional limitations emanating from the disability which are known to impact academic performance.

The documentation should provide enough information for BHDI to decide what an appropriate accommodation is.

Although an individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan, if you have one, may help identify services that have been effective for you, it may not be sufficient documentation. This is because postsecondary education presents different demands than high school education, and what you need to meet these new demands may be different. Also in some cases, the nature of a disability may change.

Accommodations may include:

• A separate testing area with minimal distractions
• An extended exam period (1.5 times the normally allotted period)

Clarification on test items:

• The option of substituting a verbal exam for a written exam, or a written exam for a verbal exam
• The option of having exam questions presented in written or oral form

Supervised breaks:

Additional or alternative provisions may be arranged if the requested accommodations are appropriate and reasonable for the documented disability, do not jeopardize the student’s learning experience, and do not provide the student with an unfair advantage over other students in the class.

In providing an academic adjustment, BHDI is not required to lower or effect substantial modifications to essential requirements. For example, although BHDI may be required to provide extended testing time, it is not required to change the substantive content of the test. In addition, BHDI does not have to make modifications that would fundamentally alter the nature of a service, program or activity or would result in undue burdens. BHDI is not required to provide personal attendants or other devices or services of a personal nature.