Consumer Information

U.S. Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA)

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) enacted in 2008 amends and extends the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965. The HEOA contains numerous federal reporting and disclosure requirements.

Notice of Availability of Institutional and Financial Aid Information

Each institution must annually provide to all enrolled students a notice of the availability of the information that is required to be made available to students under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or "FERPA"), and under The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA). This information is available on Lawrence’s website as specified under each of the headings below.

Contact Information for Assistance in Obtaining Institutional or Finanical Aid Information

Admissions and Financial Aid makes this information available through mailings, emails, and their website.

Student Financial Aid Information

The Financial Aid office makes this information available to prospective students via mailings and current students via emails. Information can also be found at the financial aid website.

Notice of Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations

A student convicted of a federal or state drug offense that occurred during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving Title IV federal financial aid is ineligible for federal student aid.

The chart below illustrates the period of ineligibility for federal student aid funds.

Number of Offenses	Possession of Illegal Drugs	Sale of Illegal Drugs
1st Offense	1 year from date of conviction	2 years from date of conviction
2nd Offense	2 years from date of conviction	Indefinite period
3rd Offense and beyond	Indefinite period	Indefinite period

Privacy of Student Records - FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords all students who attend a postsecondary education institution certain rights with respect to their educational records. They are:

The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access.
The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.
The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Lawrence University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Our required notification to students is published in the Lawrence Student Handbook, but it is also available on the website. Students are notified of their rights under FERPA by the Registrar's office at the beginning of every term.

College Navigator

College Navigator is a free information tool to help guide prospective students and parents through the entire college process. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has a search tool to help explore over 7000 colleges and universities.

Students with Disabilities

Students who have a disability covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act are entitled to academic accommodations; students must initiate all requests. Lawrence offers services for students with disabilities. The Office of Student Academic Services can provide all appropriate information and advice.

Student Body Diversity

In accordance with the HEOA, institutions must make available to current and prospective students information about student body diversity, including the percentage of enrolled, full-time students by gender, race/ethnicity, and Pell grant recipient status as reported in the IPEDS Fall Enrollment and Student Financial Aid surveys.

Lawrence Student Diversity (pdf)

Price of Attendance

In accordance with the HEOA, each institution must make available to prospective and enrolled students information about the price of attendance, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation costs, and any additional costs. This information can be found under Financial Aid on the Lawrence website, which includes comprehensive fee details and a cost of attendance worksheet.

Net Price Calculator

Lawrence's net price calculator is intended for new first-year, undergraduate students.

Refund Policy, Requirements for Withdrawal, & Return of Financial Aid

Lawrence's refund policy, requirements and procedures for official withdrawal, and requirements for the return of financial aid are detailed in the current year course catalog on pages 588-590.

Textbook Information

Lawrence has a memorandum of understanding with the Follett Higher Education Group. Follett maintains a bookstore on campus that operates at the beginning of each term and at the end of each term. The bookstore, labeled Viking Bookstore, maintains a website. Information about textbooks, including the ISBN's and prices, is solicited by Follett and made available on the website.

Academic Programs

The course catalog contains information about Lawrence's academic programs, including current programs, facilities, and faculty in accordance with the HEOA. The Strategic Plan includes ambitions and objectives to help Lawrence achieve its long-range vision.

Transfer of Credit Policies

Academic procedures and regulations regarding transfer credit can be found in the current year course catalog on page 576. We do not have any articulation agreements pertaining to students transferring to Lawrence.

Accreditation & Licensing

Lawrence is accredited as a degree-granting institution by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The Conservatory of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The Chemistry department is accredited by the American Chemical Society. Lawrence's teacher certification is in accordance with Certification Rules PI 34 of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Accreditation and Licensing documents are maintained by the office of the President. Requests to review these materials must be made to the President.

Copyright Infringement Policies and Sanctions

In accordance with the HEOA, institutions must annually make available to current and prospective students the institution's policies and sanctions related to copyright infringement, including computer use and file sharing.

Computer use policies are found in the Lawrence Student Handbook. Violations of the regulations of computer use as stated in I.K.1.00 through I.K.4.01 will be regarded as direct violations of the Honor Code or Social Code and will result in sanctions deemed appropriate by the residence hall director or dean of students.

Teacher Preparation Program Report

Per HEOA requirements, each institution must provide a report annually to the state and to the general public. The states submit to the Department of Education (DOE), and make available to the public, an annual report containing institutional and state-level information. The Department makes the state reports available to the public. For more information go to the DOE website.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

Lawrence's Counseling Services offers drug and alcohol education, screening, and counseling for substance misuse/abuse.

Vaccinations Policy

The HEOA requires institutions to make available to current and prospective students information about institutional policies regarding vaccinations. Lawrence's policy can be found on the Medical History and Physical Examination form on the Health Services website. The form is also mailed to new incoming students.

Two recent doses of Measles, Mumps, Rubella are required to be able to reside in University housing.

Wisconsin State Statute 36.25(46) requires that all students who will be residing in a campus residence hall receive yearly information regarding the risks associated with Hepatitis B and Meningococcal disease and the effectiveness of the vaccines available to prevent these diseases. The student who resides in campus housing must affirm whether he or she has received vaccinations against Hepatitis B and/or Meningococcal disease, and must provide the dates of the vaccinations, if any. The parents of minor students must provide this information. Please have these dates available when you check into housing.

Lawrence University requires that the Hepatitis B vaccine be initiated as a condition for enrollment. Immunization for Meningitis is strongly encouraged. Both vaccines are available on campus at the Landis Health Center, but it is recommended that students receive them prior to coming to campus.

Security & Fire Safety Report

Lawrence emails its students, faculty, and staff an annual Safety, Security, and Fire Safety Report. In addition, the report is on the website. The report details Lawrence's security policies and procedures, crime and fire statistics, and fire safety.

Missing Student Notification Policy

In compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act’s Missing Student Notification Policy and Procedures, it is the policy of the dean of students’ office to actively investigate any report of a missing student who is enrolled at the university and living in campus housing. For purposes of this policy, a student may be considered to be a ‘missing person’ if the person’s absence is contrary to his/her usual pattern of behavior and/or if unusual circumstances may have caused this absence. Such circumstances could include, but are not limited to, a report of suspicion that the missing person may be the victim of foul play, has expressed suicidal thoughts, is drug dependent, is in a life-threatening situation, or has been with persons who may endanger the student’s welfare.

Each student has the option through their Voyager account to identify an individual to be contacted by Lawrence University in the event that the student is reported missing.

If a member of the university community has reason to believe that a student is missing, security should be notified. Upon receiving notification, security, residence hall staff and staff in the dean of students’ office will make reasonable efforts to locate the student to determine his/her health and well-being. These efforts may include, but are not limited to, checking the student’s room, class attendance, ID card usage, locating the student’s vehicle, talking with friends, and calling the student’s reported cell phone number. As part of the investigation, the university reserves the right to contact the student’s emergency contacts to help determine the whereabouts of the student.

If upon investigation, it is determined that the student has been missing for at least 24 hours, student affairs staff will notify the designated missing student contact and appropriate law enforcement. College officials will work in collaboration with law enforcement officers to resolve the situation.

This information is found in the Lawrence Student Handbook.

Information for Crime Victims

Members of Sexual Harassment and Assault Resource Board (SHARB) educate the campus about Lawrence's sexual misconduct policy. Members can help explain the policy, complaint and hearing board procedures, and appeal process. They can connect people with appropriate resources.

Retention Rates

In accordance with the HEOA, institutions must make available to current and prospective students the retention rate of certificate- or degree-seeking, first-time undergraduate students as reported to IPEDS in the Fall Enrollment Survey.

Graduation Rates

In accordance with the HEOA, each institution must annually make available to prospective and enrolled students the completion or graduation rate of certificate- or degree-seeking, first-time, full-time, undergraduate students as reported to IPEDS in the Graduation Rate Survey. A student is counted as completed or graduated if they earn a degree or certificate within 150 percent of normal time for the student's program. For Lawrence, this means the percentage of entering students who complete their degree within six years. Institutions are allowed to exclude from graduation rate calculations those students who leave school to serve in the Armed Forces, on official church missions, or with a federal foreign aid service, or are deceased or totally and permanently disabled.

Lawrence is not required to disclose graduation and transfer-out rates for students receiving athletically related student aid, since our institution does not offer such aid. Lawrence is also not required to disclose transfer-out rates for students, since our mission does not include providing substantial preparation for students to enroll elsewhere. However, disclosure of graduation rates disaggregated by gender, race/ethnicity, and financial aid status is required.

Graduate Data

Career Services prepares an annual report about Life After Lawrence. The graduating class is surveyed, and research continues over the next year. In June of each year, the report for the class graduating one year prior is completed. This report consistently contains information for at least 90% of the class. Statistics for the most recent year as well as prior years can be found on the Career Services website.

Employment Placement

A sample of organizations who hired Lawrence graduates within the past five years includes: Accenture, Americorps, Boldt Company, Chicago Center, Creative Artists Agency, Edward Jones, Epic, Field Museum of Natural History, Fox Cities Magazine, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Fox Valley Symphony, Lawrence University, Macy's, MicroInsurance Centre LLC, Northern Trust, Peace Corps, Quad Graphics, Teach for China, The Nature Conservancy, ThedaCare, TEKsystems, University of Minnesota,Vedder Price P.C., Wells Fargo, Yale University, YMCA and various school districts.

Job Placement Rates

Since Lawrence does not advertise job placement rates for purposes of student recruitment, this HEOA requirement does not apply to Lawrence.

Graduate and Professional Education

According to information collected for the class of 2012, 22% of surveyed graduates pursued further graduate or professional school study within one year. Of those who pursued further study, 67% did so in graduate arts and sciences, 15% in law, 10% in medicine, and 2% in business, engineering, theology, and education respectively. A sample of schools attended by recent graduates includes:

Ball State University (IN)
Bowling Green State University (OH)
Central Michigan University (MI)
Columbia College (IL)
Columbia University (NY)
DePaul University (IL)
Drew University (NJ)
Duke University (NC)
Emory University (GA)
Fashion Institute of Technology (NY)
Georgetown University (DC)
Indiana University - Bloomington (IN)
Johns Hopkins University (MD)
Loyola University Chicago (IL)
Marquette University (WI)
Marywood University (PA)
Midwestern University (IL)
Mount Mary College (WI)
New York University (NY)
Northwestern University (IL)
Pennsylvania State University - University Park (PA)
Purdue University - West Lafayette (IN)
Rush University (IL)
San Francisco Conservatory of Music (CA)
University of Arizona (AZ)
University of California - Santa Barbara (CA)
University of Cincinnati (OH)
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign (IL)
University of Louisville (KY)
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (MI)
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (MN)
University of Missouri (MO)
University of Pennsylvania (PA)
University of Pittsburgh (PA)
University of Texas - Austin (TX)
University of Toronto (Canada)
University of Utah (UT)
University of Washington (WA)
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (WI)
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WI)
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee (WI)
Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
Yale University (CT)

Intercollegiate Athletic Program Participation Rates and Financial Support Data

The HEOA requires that any co-educational institution that has an intercollegiate athletic program report athletic participation by team and gender, coaching staff (head and assistant) by team, gender, employment status, and salary; athletically related student aid, recruiting and operating expenses, and total expenses and revenues. This information is reported annually to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the Equity in Athletics (EADA) Survey.

2012 EADA Report (pdf)

Voter Registration Forms

This HEOA requirement does not apply to our institution since Wisconsin has same day voter registration.

State Grant Assistance

In accordance with HEOA, institutions must inform all eligible borrowers enrolled in the institution about the availability of and their eligibility for grant assistance from the state, and provide sources of information about grant assistance from other states to borrowers from other states. This information is made available through emails, meetings with students, and our web-based interface for university records (Voyager).

Student Loan Information Published by Deptartment of Education

In accordance with the HEOA, insitutions must provide information published by the Department of Education to students at any time that information regarding loan availability is provided. The Financial Aid office makes this information available to student through our web-based interface for university records (Voyager) and the financial aid website.

National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)

The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education's central database for federal student aid. Federal Stafford, Perkins, and Parent PLUS loans will be submitted to NSLDS and will be accessible by guarantee agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system. For each new federal loan borrowed, and for any changes made to the amount of a loan, a Disclosure statement will be sent to the borrower.

Entrance Counseling for Student Loan Borrowers

In accordance with HEOA, institutions must provide a first-time borrower of a FFELP or a Federal Direct Loan (other than consolidated or Parent PLUS loans) comprehensive information on the terms and conditions of the loan and of the borrowers responsibilities. Notification about this counseling is made through email and our web-based interface for university records (Voyager).

Exit Counseling for Student Loan Borrowers

Each institution must also provide counseling to borrowers of loans under the FFEL, Federal Direct Loan, or Perkins Loan programs (other than consolidated or Parent PLUS loans) shortly before the student borrower ceases at least half-time study at the institution. Notification about this counseling is made through email, campus mail for current students, mail, and our web-based interface for university records (Voyager).

Private Student Loans

Students and parents may consider a private educational loan beyond any need-based aid administered by the Lawrence University Financial Aid Office. Upon request to the Financial Aid office, a Self-Certification Form for private loans will be made available to the borrower.

Lawrence University adheres to a Student Loan Code of Conduct and does not endorse one private loan over another. A private loan comparison list is made available to assist in searching for loans; however borrowers are not limited to this list and may select a lender not on the list.

Additional information about private student laons can be found on the financial aid website.