Student Rights & Responsibilities

Communication with the University

The University will primarily communicate with students through electronic means.

University communications can include, but are not limited to: changes in policies, billing, financial aid, housing, health and wellness resources, conduct proceedings, etc.

Student Microsoft Outlook email
Brightspace (the new learning management system for all students)
St. Ambrose Experience Portal
MyMountMercy Self Service

Emergency Communications

The websites for St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy will be used for alerts such as those related to weather.

St. Ambrose Emergency Alerts

St. Ambrose' Public Safety will notify community members about emergencies or crises through LiveSafe. The LiveSafe application is compatible with Android and iOS operating systems.

Mount Mercy Emergency Alerts

Emergency messages are distributed via the RAVE Emergency Notification System, a text-based system allowing the University to notify students, faculty and staff through phone calls and text messages when an emergency is taking place on or near campus. The system is only be used in critical situations, including weather emergencies, with potential to affect health or safety.

Student Complaints

Registering a Complaint

St. Ambrose University seeks to resolve all student concerns in a timely and effective manner. It is expected that students will fully utilize any or all the University’s administrative procedures to address concerns or complaints. Students are strongly encouraged to work with the involved individual(s) or office(s) on their respective campus before filing a formal grievance. The information below is provided to assist you in resolving your concern or complaint.

If the complaint or concern involves the following;
- then contact...
Course grade or evaluation;
- Course instructor, then department chair, then academic dean
- St. Ambrose Faculty and Staff Directory
- Mount Mercy Faculty and Staff Directory
Academic programs and/or accreditation;
- Office of Academic Affairs contact information
Admissions eligibility;
- St. Ambrose Admissions
Tuitions, fees, payments;
- St. Ambrose Student Financial Services Contact Information
- Mount Mercy Billing & Payments Contact Information
Military/Veteran's benefits;
- Veterans Recruitment and Services Office contact information
Loans, scholarships, and/or grants;
- St. Ambrose Office of Financial Aid contact information
- Mount Mercy Financial Aid Office contact information
Academic records, transfer credit, and/or transcripts;
- St. Ambrose Office of the Registrar Contact information
- Mount Mercy Registrar's Office Contact information
Student housing;
- Email St. Ambrose Res Life
- Email Mount Mercy Res Life
Student Government Association, Clubs, and/or Organizations;
- Email St. Ambrose Student Activities
- Email Mount Mercy Student Activities
Student Code of Conduct;
- Email the St. Ambrose Dean of Students
- Email the Mount Mercy Dean of Students
Sexual harassment and/or sexual assault;
- Title IX contact information at St. Ambrose
- Title IX contact information at Mount Mercy
Discrimination;
- Title IX contact information
- Human Resources contact information
Academic and Non-academic accommodations;
- St. Ambrose Access and Disability Services Offie
- Mount Mercy Access and Disability Services Office

Student Consumer Complaint

The U.S. Department of Education established requirements to improve the integrity of programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA), as amended (the “Program Integrity Rule”). The Program Integrity Rule requires, among other things, that each college or university authorized to offer postsecondary education in one or more states ensure access to a complaint process that will permit student consumers to address the following:

Alleged violations of State consumer protection laws that include but are not limited to fraud and false advertising;
Alleged violations of State laws or ruling relating to the licensure of postsecondary institutions; and
Complaints relating to the quality of education or other State or accreditation requirementRefer to the website for more information about St. Ambrose accreditation.

If a student does not feel like a resolution has been obtained, they may register a formal complaint in writing to the appropriate Dean of Students Office.

St. Ambrose Dean of Students, 518 W Locust Street, Davenport, IA 52803, by phone at 563-333-6000
Mount Mercy Dean of Students, 1330 Elmhurst. Dr, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, by phone at 319-363-1232 ext. 1857
Online Student (All Campuses) Complaint Form (routed to the appropriate Dean's office)

If a student feels that no resolution has been made after contacting the Dean of Students, student may contact the Bureau of Iowa College Aid by filling out the The Iowa Department of Education - Higher Education Student Complaint form or calling 877-272-4456.

Online Student Consumer Complaint

Online students will follow the same complaint procedures as outlined above.

Refer to the website for more information on Registering a Complaint Regarding Online Programs.

The Bureau of Iowa College Aid approves St. Ambrose University’s participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) initiative. SARA is a national initiative establishing comparable national standards and expectations for distance and online education; the central purpose is to increase access to online courses and standardize student consumer complaint processes. By participating in SARA, St. Ambrose is allowed to provide online courses outside of the state borders to students residing in any other state which is a member of SARA (currently that includes 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Student complaints without resolution from the institution or state agency should be directed towards the NC-SARA website, SARA Student Complaints.

Student Privacy

More information on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, also known as FERPA you can go to the St. Ambrose website or to this section of the course catalog.

Preferred Name

It is the policy of the University that any current student or alumni can choose to identify themselves by their preferred name within the University’s information systems (Colleague and Power Campus*). The preferred name will be used in as many communications and reporting measures as possible (e.g. class rosters, school ID card, alumni communications, etc.), however, there are instances when the use of a legal name is required (e.g. student transcript).

*: All student information will be migrated onto the Colleague Student Information System to finalize the integration. That should happen sometime this academic year.

Incoming students are welcome to include their preferred name on their application to the University.

Students on the St. Ambrose campus can use this form to request a name change
Students on the Mount Mercy campus should submit this form to Registrar's Office in person (211 Warde) or by email.
To use your preferred name for your email address contact your campus IT Helpdesk
- St. Ambrose University IT Helpdesk
- Email Mount Mercy IT Helpdesk

The individual is free to determine the preferred (chosen) name they want to be known by in the University’s information systems. However, inappropriate use of the preferred (chosen) name policy (including but not limited to avoiding legal obligation or misrepresentation) may be cause for denying the request.

Student Health Records and Health Insurance

Student Health Insurance

Insurance requirements for domestic students

The University does not require proof of health insurance, nor does it provide health insurance to students.

Insurance requirements for international students

The University requires proof of current health insurance coverage each semester.

Requirements for All Students

Personal History
Immunization records with dates of:
1. MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): 2 doses
2. Tetanus: current booster (within 10 years)
3. Meningitis vaccination or signed waiver
Tuberculosis (TB) screening questionnaire

All residential students are required to submit a health form to Residence Life. Most student submit this information with their housing application, but it can be turned into the office of Residence Life, the Dean of Students, or Health Services by the first day of class.

Additional Requirements for Student Athletes

A physical examination prior to starting the athletic program.
A signed authorization to release information to trainers and coaches.
Proof of current health insurance.

Additional Requirements for Health Science Students

Students in programs with clinical or practicum experiences may also fall within this requirement. If you are unsure whether this applies to you, check with your program advisor. Annual updates may be required depending on individual clinical/practicum site requirements.

Additional immunizations: Hepatitis B, Varicella (Chicken Pox), and influenza (Flu).
Tuberculosis (TB) test. Check your program for specific information.
Physical examination. Contact your program for specific information.
A signed authorization to release information to clinical or practicum sites.
Proof of current health insurance.

Additional Requirements for International Students

Tuberculosis (TB) screening/testing to be done upon arrival to campus.
Proof of current health insurance.

Student Identification Cards

All students on all campuses are required to carry their ID card with them at all times. Student ID cards are required to gain access to the residence and dining halls, check out books from the library, etc. This card is connected to a student account, and therefore, a lost or stolen card must be reported immediately so that it can be deactivated. Damaged cards must also be deactivated, reported, and replaced immediately. Fees will apply. Cards cannot be reactivated, instead a replacement card must be purchased. Borrowing or lending, failing to show ID, or providing false identification to a University official is prohibited.

St. Ambrose BeeCards

Identification cards (BeeCards) are distributed from the BeeCard Services Desk within the Public Safety Office on the 2nd floor of the Rogalski Center.

In addition to the previously mentioned, BeeCards are also used to gain access to campus activies such as concerts, films, lectures, athletics, and intramural and recreation events.

BeeCard Service hours and contact information

Mount Mercy ID Cards

Mount Mercy ID cards are distributed during move-in day, otherwise they can be picked up at the Information Desk on the 1st floor of the UC Commons. Work with your admissions counselor to ensure you have submitted your photo properly.