Student Resources

Library Services

Gus Nichols Library (GNL) is the major academic resource for Faulkner University with collections of academic books and journals, special collections, and numerous online resources. GNL provides students with an integrated catalog with access to online resources. Check the library’s website for more information- https://www.faulkner.edu/nichols-library/.

GNL is an institutional member of the American Library Association, the Association for College and Research Libraries, Christian College Librarians, the Network for Alabama Academic Libraries, and Lyrasis. Additionally, Faulkner participates in the Montgomery Higher Education Consortium (MHEC), which allows borrowing privileges to students with current IDs and consortia stickers. Participating institutions include Alabama Stat University (ASU), Auburn University Montgomery (AUM), Troy University Montgomery, and Amridge University.

Accessibility

In conjunction with Faulkner’s community principles and overall mission, the Center for Accessibility acknowledges disability as an integral part of the campus experience. We are committed to providing equal access and opportunity to all campus programs and services for individuals with disabilities. In order to establish equal access, documentation of disability by qualified professionals is necessary. Accommodations must be reviewed each semester and are not retroactive. If you are interested in obtaining accommodations please contact the Director of the Center for Accessibility (334-386-7185) at your earliest convenience or visit the Center for Accessibility page on Faulkner’s website for additional information.

Class Changes

Additions to Class Schedules

Class additions are permitted through the fifth business day of each semester. Changes require permission from an academic advisor and/or instructors involved. A fee is charged for each drop/add form processed, except when a class has been changed or removed from the master academic schedule.

Drop or Withdrawal from Classes

A student may drop a course or withdraw from school (drop all courses) without academic penalty through the date identified in the Academic Calendar of each program as the “last day to drop a class with a W.” A student withdrawing from school (all courses) must obtain an official Withdrawal Form and secure all signatures indicated on the form. Withdrawal is not official until the student submits the completed form to the Registrar’s Office (last step in the withdrawal procedure) for processing.

All drops/withdrawals after the allotted time period will result in a grade of “F” (withdrawn-failing), which will adversely affects the grade point average

Educational Records and Rights under FERPA

Policy of Education Record

Students may inspect a copy of their educational record (transcript) by going to getmytanscript.org, or by visiting a Faulkner campus. In accordance with FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), Faulkner University will only send official transcripts, via the request process, to destinations authorized by the student.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all educational institutions that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
   1. FERPA authorizes the disclosure of certain information about students in the absence of their consent. This information is known as “directory information,” and includes the following: student’s name, address (including email address), telephone number, place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and weight and height of athletes on an intercollegiate team sponsored by the University.
   2. By this provision, students and parents are hereby given notice of the categories of information the University has designated “directory information” and that such information will be provided without consent of either students or parents UNLESS the parent, student, or guardian informs the Registrar in writing that some or all of such information should not be released without their prior consent.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
5. The right to obtain a copy of Faulkner University’s student records policy. This policy is available in the Office of the Registrar.

Procedure to Inspect Education Records

Students may inspect and review their education records upon request to the appropriate record custodian. Submit to the record custodian, or appropriate University staff personnel, a written request which identifies as precisely as possible the record(s) the student wishes to inspect.

The record custodian or an appropriate University staff person will make the needed arrangements for access as promptly as possible. The student will be notified of the time and place where the records may be inspected. Access must be given in 45 days or less from the receipt of the request.

When a record contains information about more than one student, the student may inspect and review only the documents which relate to his or her record.

Rights of the University to Refuse Access

Faulkner University reserves the right to refuse permission for a student to inspect the following records:

1. The financial statement of the student’s parents.
2. Letters and statements of recommendation for which the student waived his or her right of access, or that were placed in file before January 1, 1975.
3. Records connected with an application to attend Faulkner University if the application was denied.
4. Those records that are excluded from the FERPA definition of education records.

Refusal to Provide Copies

Faulkner University reserves the right to deny transcripts or copies of records not required to be made available by the FERPA in any of the following situations:

1. The student lives within commuting distance of Faulkner.
2. The student has an unpaid financial obligation to the University.
3. There is an unresolved disciplinary action against the student.

Custodian of Academic Records

The custodian of all academic records for Faulkner University is the University Registrar. The University Registrar’s office is located on the Montgomery campus. Any questions about access to your academic record or this policy should be direct to the University Registrar.