Statements of Compliance
Federal Laws and Regulations
General Statement: Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, national or ethnic origin, age, handicap, or veteran status.
Specific Federal Laws and Regulations:
- Civil Rights Act of 1964. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary complies, and is required by law to comply, with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI, Section 601). The act provides that “no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” We adhere to the letter and spirit of the law with a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin. This policy applies to our educational program and activities and extends to employment, to admissions and to recruitment of both students and employees. Inquiries concerning the Seminary’s obligations under this act may be addressed to the Registrar’s Office, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA 01982. Any student, employee or applicant for admission or employment who believes that Gordon-Conwell has failed to comply with this act may file a written complaint with the Office for Civil Rights, 8th Floor, 5 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109.
- Internal Revenue Service Procedure 75-50. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the Seminary. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, handicap, or veteran status in administration of our educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs and other Seminary-administered programs. This policy meets the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service’s Revenue Procedure 75-50, dated March 1976.
- Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary complies with Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, and with Part 86 of the Rules and Regulations of the Department of Education to effectuate Title IX. The Seminary is required to comply with Title IX and with part 86. Title IX provides that “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance,” with certain exceptions. We adhere to the letter and spirit of the law with a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of sex. This policy applies to our educational program and activities and extends to employment, to admissions and to recruitment of both students and employees. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and the regulations pertaining to it may be referred to the Registrar’s Office, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA 01982. Gordon-Conwell’s Title IX Coordinator is the Dean of Students. She may be reached at 978-468-4060. Any student or employee who believes that Gordon-Conwell has failed to comply with this act may file a written complaint with the Office for Civil Rights, The McCormack Building, Rm. 707, Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109.
- Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and with part 84 of the Rules and Regulations of the Department of Education to effectuate that act. The Seminary is required to comply with Section 504 and with part 84. Section 504 provides that “no otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States… shall, solely by reason of his handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” We adhere to the letter and the spirit of the law with a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of handicap, whether physical or mental. This policy applies to our educational program and activities and extends to employment, to admissions and to recruitment of both students and employees. Whenever a disabled student wishes to attend or participate in a program or activity which is inaccessible, that program or activity will be relocated to an accessible area. Forty-eight hour notice by the disabled individual of the need for relocation should be made to the Office of Student Life Services. (This is in compliance with the American’s with Disabilities Act of 1990.) Inquiries concerning the application of Section 504 and the regulations pertaining to it may be referred to the Registrar’s Office, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA 01982. Any student or employee who believes that Gordon-Conwell has failed to comply with this act may file a written complaint with the Office for Civil Rights, The McCormack Building, Rm. 707, Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109.
- Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (Section 438 of the General Education Provisions Act, Title IV of Public Law 90-247), as amended, and with Part 99 of the Rules and Regulations of the Department of Education to effectuate that act. The Seminary is required to comply with the act and with Part 99. The act provides that students attending any postsecondary educational institution which receives federal funds are entitled to have access to their education records kept by the institution in order to inspect and review those records. Students are entitled to request the amendment of any information in their education records which they believe is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of their privacy or other rights. Student are also entitled to have some control over the disclosure of information from their education records. Inquiries concerning the application of the Family Education and Privacy Act and the regulations pertaining to it may be addressed to the Registrar’s Office, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA 01982. Any student who believes that Gordon-Conwell has failed to comply with the provisions of this act has the right to file a written complaint with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Office, Room 4511, Switzer Building, 300 C Street, SW, Washington DC 20202.
- Student Consumer Information. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary complies with Section 493A of Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as added to that act by Section 131 (b) of the Education Amendments of 1976, and with Part 178 of the Rules and Regulations of the Department of Education to effectuate Section 493A. The Seminary is required to comply with Section 493A and Part 178. Section 493A requires that student consumer information be provided any student or prospective student who requests such information. The types of information to be provided are: (1) a description of the student financial aid programs available at Gordon-Conwell, including the rights and responsibilities of students receiving assistance through federally funded programs; (2) a description of the Seminary’s faculty, academic program, and educational facilities; (3) a description of the Seminary’s refund policy; and (4) data regarding the Seminary’s student retention rate. In addition to the foregoing information, Gordon-Conwell is required by Part 177 of the Rules and Regulations of the Department of Education to provide recent information concerning placement of students in professional degree programs (i.e. the Master of Divinity and professional Master of Arts programs). As per Section 485 of the Educational Amendments of 1980, Gordon-Conwell must provide information on facilities and services available to handicapped students.
- Campus Security Act of 1990. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary complies with Title II of the Student Right-to-Know Campus Security Act of 1990, known as the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990. The Act requires the institution to collect, publish and distribute to all current students and employees and to any applicant for enrollment or employment upon request certain information regarding campus policies and procedures with respect to campus security and incidents of criminal offenses on campus. Inquiries concerning compliance with the Campus Security Act of 1990 may be directed to the Director of Public Safety, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA 01982.
- Drug Free Schools and Campuses Act. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is in compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act Amendment of 1989 relating to the illegal use of alcohol and drugs. Following is the policy statement pertaining to this act:
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary seeks to provide a safe setting and to protect the public health for all members of the seminary community by securing a drug-free environment in compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989 (federal law). The law declares that students and employees have the right to study and work in a setting free from the effects of drug or alcohol abuse. In keeping with the principles outlined in our Community Life Statement and our Christian tradition as a theological seminary that prepares men and women for Christian ministry, policies dealing with the illegal and abusive use of alcohol or drugs are adopted in compliance with the law (see Student Handbook).
- GI Bill® requirements under 38 CFR 21.4253, 38 US Code 3675, 38 CFR 21.4254, 38 US Code 3676