Recruiting and Admissions

Policy

The Athenaeum does not engage in any unethical recruitment, admissions, or marketing tactics. All marketing and communications with prospective students accurately represent the programs, the institution, and its policies and procedures. The Athenaeum fully complies with the Higher Learning Commission’s policies on recruiting, admissions, and fraud (CRRT.C.10.010, FDCR.A.20.010.)

At no point are prospective students subject to false information, bribes, coercion, harassment, or any other tactics used to pressure students to apply or to enroll in classes. Students who feel they were subject to the above should file a student concern report. Students can also report the activity to the institution’s regional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, or to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

Staff in violation of this policy will be found in violation of the Archdiocesan Ethics and Conduct Policy. Pursuant to this policy, violations of ethics “will be grounds for discipline, up to and including termination.”

Designated personnel

The Athenaeum does not employ third-party contractors to provide recruiting services. Staff who provide communications to prospective students include the Marketing and Communications Specialist, the Registrar, the Director of Programming and Promotion, the Dean of the Athenaeum, and the Dean of the School of Theology. These staff members are trained in the institution’s recruiting and admissions policies, and must agree to the Ethics and Conduct Policy prior to employment.

All marketing communications are reviewed by pertinent senior administrators prior to publication, including the Director of Advancement, the Dean of the Athenaeum, the Dean of the School of Theology, and/or the President of the Athenaeum. These administrators ensure that the information and representation of the institution is fair and accurate.

Admission policies and procedures are reviewed annually and revised by the Director of Programming and Promotion. All staff involved with the recruiting and admission of prospective students are trained using these policies and procedures. Admission requirements for programs are publicly available online in the Catalog.

Athenaeum staff may provide assistance to students during the admissions process by answering questions or directing them to relevant information or resources. However, at no time can they complete an application for a student on his/her behalf.

Once an application is received, it is reviewed by the Admissions and Degrees Committee – composed of faculty, staff, and administrators – who review each application and grant admission. Applicants need the full approval of the committee before they are admitted into their program.

Recruiting information

Prospective students may receive information about the institution online, through publications and advertisements, or by contacting admissions staff. All information used in marketing and publications is verified and vetted by senior administration for accuracy and fair representation. Staff who have communications with prospective students are provided with an Admission Policies manual, which also provides up-to-date and accurate information about the institution and admission procedures.

Student outcome data is updated annually and is made publicly available online on the Educational Effectiveness webpage.

Prospective students may submit an inquiry to receive information about the institution or its programs. This inquiry will ask students for basic contact information. However, students who do not wish to provide their contact information can call the admissions office for details about a program, the institution, or the admissions process.

Students will never be asked to enroll in a program before they have been provided information about that program, its costs, possible financial aid, academic requirements, transfer credits, and other basic information, policies, and procedures.

Student information

Throughout the recruiting and admissions process, the student may provide the institution with contact information such as his/her name, e-mail, phone number, and/or mailing address. This information may be used to contact the student through phone, e-mail, or mailing lists. The student may at any time request to be removed from these lists and he/she will no longer be contacted by the institution.

Personal information submitted as part of the admissions process is protected by the Athenaeum privacy policy. All information is securely stored and access is limited to specific staff members with an admissions role. Students can request to have their personal information removed from the admissions database per Populi Privacy Policy.

The Athenaeum does not share, sell, trade, or transfer personal user information with any other third party at any time.

Registration

During the enrollment period, School of Theology students may either register for courses online through Populi or by contacting the registrar. Seminary students will be contacted by the registrar to register for classes and to confirm their registration. All registration requires student confirmation; the Athenaeum will never automatically enroll a student in a course without student consent. Additionally, students are notified by an automated e-mail from Populi of any change in their registration or enrollment status in a course.

Some services, such as financial aid, discounts, and fee waivers, are contingent on enrolling by a specified deadline. However, students will never be pressured or coerced into registering by a specific deadline through promises of cash or free goods or services.

Refund schedule

Tuition refunds are prorated according to the student’s date of withdrawal from a course. The following schedule of tuition payment refunds applies to students who withdraw during the fifteen week semester:

During the first week the course meets: 100%
During the second week: 80%
During the third week: 60%
During the fourth week: 40%
During the fifth week: 20%
During the sixth week: 10%
After the sixth week: No refund

In the case of courses that meet for five or ten weeks, the following schedule of tuition refunds applies to students who withdraw:

During the first week the course meets: 100%
During the second week: 80%
During the third week: 40%
After the third week: No refund