Student Life
Richmont students come from a wide range of geographic regions and backgrounds. This diverse student body provides excellent opportunities for learning and social life.
Richmont provides opportunities for students to participate in a wide range of activities and courses designed to enhance their educational experience. These activities include, but are not limited to: diversity celebrations, informal gatherings, and a variety of guest speakers and professionals. Official student activities will be coordinated through the Office of Student Affairs.
Orientation
All new students are required to complete an online orientation process to learn about Richmont Graduate University and acquire the necessary knowledge and skills that are essential for success as a graduate student. Students receive information about online orientation as soon as they receive access to their Richmont email account. Richmont’s online orientation is completed in Canvas, and students have access to this online material during their tenure as a student. Students are encouraged to refer back to their Orientation course in Canvas as a resource.
Communication within the University
Effective communication between the university and its students is essential for student success. As a result, there are several methods of communication that allow Richmont to connect with students, and that also allow students to connect with Richmont staff and faculty.
Email
Richmont faculty, staff, and students all have a Richmont email address. It is the student’s responsibility to check this university email regularly, since this is the only method of communication from Richmont staff and faculty. Students are responsible for all information communicated to them via their Richmont email account.
Faculty & Faculty Advisor Appointments
Students are responsible to contact faculty and advisors to schedule necessary appointments. Students can reach faculty through their Richmont email account, or phone.
Changes in Personal Information
Please keep the Records Office informed when you change any of your personal data (name, address, phone number, etc.). The Records Office will note the change in the online directory.
Student Identification Cards
Each student who attends a physical campus at Richmont Graduate University receives a Student ID card upon matriculation into the program. This card allows access to the campus buildings.
Campus Alerts
Richmont utilizes a campus alert system to alert students when either campus will close due to weather or other emergencies. Students are automatically enrolled in this program upon matriculation using their phone number and Richmont email address. In the event of a campus closing, Richmont will alert students to the status on each campus. Please make sure to check your Richmont email and/or cell phone regularly during these times.
Copyrighted Material
Richmont Graduate University recognizes the legal rights of copyright holders in any form. It prohibits illegal downloading and copying and sharing of such materials, either in physical form or digitally. Failure to follow this policy has both legal and university disciplinary implications. Students may also contact their campus librarian for further information and for assistance in legally obtaining research materials.
Canvas
Canvas is the university’s platform for course delivery. Canvas has four primary purposes in Richmont courses:1) to provide students an opportunity to receive timely information about course assignments, grades, and announcements; 2) to promote thoughtful, intentional interaction between course instructors and students (as well as between students) as they work on course materials; 3) to provide a method for students to complete quizzes and exams and upload papers; 4) to enhance Richmont students’ learning experience.
Every student has access to Canvas during their time as a student. Students are responsible to access Canvas regularly and to be familiar with all resources and materials in Canvas in order to successfully complete their courses. Students who encounter problems with Canvas can contact helpdesk@richmont.edu.
CAMS
CAMS is the university's student information system. Students will utilize their CAMS Student Portal to register for classes, review student documentation, manage their student financial account, and review unofficial transcripts.
Students will receive assistance with CAMS during their initial registration meeting. If a student encounters technical problems with CAMS or is unable to log into their Student Portal, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@richmont.edu.
Internet Access & Software
While enrolled in classes, students are responsible to maintain continuous access to a working and dependable internet provider as well as reliable email software that can send and receive attachments. It is highly recommended that you have access to Microsoft Office software (Word, PowerPoint, etc.) for assignments. A student’s experience is highly dependent on the quality and functionality of your computer equipment. The full list of technology requirements is listed in the Graduate Catalog. You can also email helpdesk@richmont.edu for questions and support.
Program of Study
Students complete a Program of Study before they matriculate into their perspective program. Template sequences for each degree program and certificates are provided for students to complete their program. Using this as a guide, Richmont staff meet individually to assist each student as they develop a program of study, outlining the sequence in which he or she plans to take the courses for the selected program. The Program of Study is signed and approved by the student and the Records Office. The signed document is kept on file in the Records Office. Students who deviate from their Program of Study are required to resubmit a Program of Study for the following reasons: change of degree, change of certification(s), or change in length of time to complete the degree. A Program of Study is required to complete a student’s academic file.
Children & Guests Policy
The facilities of Richmont Graduate University are restricted to use by students, faculty, staff, and guests of the university, except when all or part of the university location, its buildings, or its facilities are open to the general public for a designated time and purpose. A “guest” of the university is a person invited by an officer, employee, or student to visit the campus at a specific time and place for a designated purpose. Guests must sign in and out at the front desk. Personal guests of students are permitted as long as they restrict the length of their campus visits and abide by all appropriate guidelines and policies related to their visit, including but not limited to not disrupting the student or any other person’s work or other appropriate use of the campus. By inviting a personal guest on campus, the student assumes responsibility for that guest and should remain with the guest. Guests are not permitted to attend class with a student unless the student obtains the faculty member’s prior permission. Such permission will only be granted in very special and limited circumstances.
Arranging childcare is the personal responsibility of students who have children. Students are not authorized to bring children to a university facility for extended periods of time. Frequent or lengthy visits of children are not permitted, as they may create disruptions and distractions and present a liability to the university for their safety. Minors under the age of 12 should not be left unsupervised at any time at any of the university facilities. Children may not attend class, use university equipment, or be left unattended on university property. Childcare issues frequently arise when university holidays and those of the child’s school do not match, or when a child is sick and cannot attend school or daycare. Students must plan for these challenges in advance. Asking a faculty member to allow a child in class is not an option, as faculty members are not authorized to allow children to attend class.
Self-Care and Professional Responsibility
Graduate school presents many challenges to developing professionals, leading students to occasionally neglect maintenance of an appropriate balance between professional activities and self-care. Richmont reminds students that development of professional competencies is dependent upon effective self-care behavior (i.e., sleep, adequate nutrition, exercise, medical health and mental health care when needed, social support, church involvement, etc.).
It is the student’s responsibility to maintain effective self-care behaviors while in graduate school. Students have access to their advisor, enhancement programs, mentors, and other resources while enrolled. Students are made aware of these opportunities at their orientation and in a bi-annual email. Students also have access to a list counselors who offer reduced fees for Richmont students.
Richmont’s graduate training programs are small professional communities in which students support one another in developing effective self-care behaviors, much like the broader profession will be upon graduation. When a student recognizes that another student regularly neglects his/her self-care, the student should try to offer assistance to the other student in obtaining help before discussing it with a faculty member. Should the other student continue to engage in significantly unhealthy self-care behavior following peer assistance, you, as the observer, should discuss your concerns with your advisor or dean. This is your professional responsibility. Faculty may also discuss observed concerns with students regarding neglect of regular self-care.
Faculty are open to requests for accommodations in particularly distressing periods (e.g., personal or family tragedy, illness, etc.). In such situations, consistent with demonstrating professional competence, the student should bring the situation to the attention of his or her advisor (or faculty member) in order to plan for how to handle the potential program hiatus (e.g., coursework, clinical cases, etc.). The Records Office can offer assistance if the need for extended absences arises. Students should also be sure to address financial considerations (loans, assistantships, impact on tuition fellowship, etc.) when considering a hiatus from the program.