Student Services is committed to working closely with students by providing personalized attention and professional services. It seeks to develop a campus climate that brings together students, staff, faculty, and the community. It facilitates and supports various activities to assist students in making a successful transition to the university Community and to prepare them for life after graduation.
Orientation is held at the beginning of each quarter for new students and is designed to familiarize them with campus facilities, policies and procedures, financial aid, faculty, administrators, and staff.
Federal law allows current and former students access to their education records. To protect the privacy of students, the law sets certain conditions on the disclosure of personal information kept by the university. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974— also known as the Buckley Amendment or FERPA— and the California Education Code 67-100ff states that students have the right to access their educational records. Educational institutions shall not release educational records without consent of the student, subject to exceptions provided by law.
In compliance with FERPA, MU designates the following categories of personally identifiable information as directory information: name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, date and place of birth, dates of attendance, enrollment status, program of study, honors, awards, and degrees received. MU may release or publish directory information without prior consent of the student, unless specifically instructed by the student to withhold information. To restrict the release or publication of any student information, a student must provide the appropriate written instructions to the Registrar’s Office.
Pursuant to the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the California Information Act and Educational Code, students at MU have the right to:
(1) Inspect and review their education records that pertain to themselves as students, unless waived or qualified under Federal and State law or College policies;
(2) Seek to amend the content of their education records that may be considered inaccurate or misleading;
(3) Withhold from disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in their education records, except as provided in Federal and State laws or College policies; and
(4) File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education (Family Policy Compliance Office) regarding alleged violation of their FERPA rights.
Students and alumni who desire the university to release their records and information to prospective employers, graduate schools, etc., can expedite their applications by providing MU with written permission to release their records, specifying which records and to whom the release should be made.
A student will be given the opportunity to inspect and review his/her education records within 15 days from the day that the school receives the request for access. The student should submit to the Registrar, or other appropriate school official, written requests (or emails) that identify the record(s) s/he wishes to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and will notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the school official for whom the request was submitted, that official should advise the student of the appropriate official to whom the request should be addressed.
One exception, which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with a legitimate educational interest. A school official is a person employed by the college as an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff person (including the law enforcement unit, personnel, and health staff); a person or company contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, funding agency, or collection agent); a person serving the Board of Directors; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Parental access to a student’s records will be allowed without prior consent if the student is under eighteen years of age or is a dependent as defined in Section 252 of the Federal Internal Revenue Code. If any MU student wants to ensure or block access for their parents to his/her grades, any disciplinary action that has been taken or other information, then it is best to file written permission with the Registrar to clarify their wants and needs.
The university assists students in reaching their goals by providing orientation for a successful academic experience, helping to clarify career and academic goals, and assisting with course selection and program planning.
The Career and Placement Services makes available the services of a coordinator who provides individual counseling as well as materials, references, and job listings designed to assist students in making short and long-range vocational decisions. Workshops, employer interviews, and online job searches through the Internet help focus student choices. Appointments for counseling can be made through the main office.
All programs at Merit University are “non-residential.” MU does not hold dormitory facilities but is located in Los Angeles and is easily accessible by public transportation. Many different arrangements are available, for example: the rent of a studio or one bedroom apartment ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 monthly. The area offers a vast array of inexpensive restaurants, including many fast-food chains, and minimum monthly food costs are within an affordable range for city living. The institution has no responsibility to find or assist a student in finding housing.
Merit University provides information and brochures on insurance policies that have been designed for students’ health care needs. These policies are offered by private and independent companies.
The University is committed to complying with all the mandates set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act. Disabled students may make any request for reasonable accommodations to the Dean of Academic Affairs’ Office and are required to provide medical certification of their disability. In certain circumstances, early registration may be available for students with disabilities. Students who wish to file a formal grievance should secure a copy of the Student Grievance Procedures from the Dean of Academic Affairs’ office.
All students are urged to participate in Merit University’s student government. This organization is recognized by the faculty and administration as important to the student’s education and cultural experience. Through their participation, students can provide information that assists both the faculty and administration in strengthening the academic program and improving the collegiate life at MU.
Merit University holds a commencement ceremony every June for students who have completed their degrees and have fulfilled all university requirements. Prospective graduates must obtain an Application for Graduation from the Registrar’s Office and submit it to the Registrar before they can be considered for graduation. Commencement activities are a highlight for students, faculty, and staff.
All facilities, classrooms, computer lab, library, and student lounge of Merit University are located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 970, Los Angeles CA 90010 and all programs are offered at this location.
Classrooms
Each classroom is equipped with desks, chairs, whiteboards, computer projectors, screens for the projectors, and laptops with Internet access. All class sessions are held at 3699 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 970 with assigned classroom numbers on the schedule and enrollment agreement form.
Equipment
Educational equipment necessary for the graduate programs are laptops installed with Microsoft Office and necessary programs. Faculty and students may check out laptops by providing a photo identification card. Wireless Internet access is available for notebook computer users.
Student Lounge
The student lounge is equipped with a microwave, a refrigerator, beverages with a comfortable sofa, and tea tables for students to relax, read, and have their snacks or meals before and after classes.