Registrar

All transcript requests and payments (via debit or credit card only) are made by the student through Parchment. Official transcripts are $15 each and will be processed within 3-5 business days. Transcript delivery methods include regular mail and electronic delivery. Electronic delivery is the fastest and most reliable delivery method.

We do not provide unofficial transcripts.  You are able to print your academic history in HawkLink.

*Please note that fulfillment of transcript requests may be delayed during holidays and campus closures.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

• The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. A student should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
• 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. A student who wishes to ask the University to amend a record should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested, the University will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
• The right to provide written consent before the University discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. The University discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using University employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; 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 a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the University. Upon request, the University also discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. The University may disclose, without consent, “directory” information such as a student’s name, address, date and place of birth, degrees awarded, major field of study, honors and awards, and dates of attendance.
• 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. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-5901.

Additional Information:

U.S. Department of Education FERPA Website

Please contact the Thomas University Registrar with any questions concerning the release of information under FERPA or to opt-out of having directory information shared. Students with complaints regarding their privacy rights are also encouraged to visit or contact the Registrar by e-mail or by phone at 229-226-1621, Ext 1022.

The FERPA Release Form is located in Hawklink under Academic Forms. The form must be completed by the student.

GDPR Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy for Students
The European Union General Data Protection Regulations (“EU GDPR”) is a regulation governing the use of personal data. It imposes new obligations on entities that control or process personal data about people who are located in the European Union. This regulation applies both inside the European Union (“EU”) and outside of the EU and applies to data about anyone in the EU, regardless of whether they are a citizen or permanent resident of an EU country.

The regulation took effect on May 25, 2018.

Thomas University is committed to safeguarding the privacy of “personal data” of present and future students (a “student” is any person who presently attends Thomas University or has attended Thomas University in the past). “Personal data” is defined as any record created in the EU and transferred to Thomas University which is directly related to an identified or identifiable student, either directly or indirectly. Examples of “personal data” include, but are not limited to, directory information as defined in Thomas University’s FERPA Policy.

This Privacy Policy outlines the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information provided to Thomas University by students.

Students who reside in EU countries and who apply, or may apply, to Thomas University will need to provide consent for collection and use of personal data. To provide consent, use the following consent form:
• Notice Regarding Protection of Personal Data and Request of Consent for Their Processing – Applicant Students Located in the European Union found at:Consumer Information.The Data Controller, under the GDPR law and with particular reference to the safety obligations related to automatic processing of student data, is Thomas University. All data will be processed by Thomas University in its capacity as Data Controller with the supervision of the Chief Information Officer, who you can reach at registrar@vaftizo.com

Use of Information
For purposes of this Privacy Policy, Sensitive Information is defined as race, ethnic origin, religious or philosophical beliefs, health data, sexual orientation, and criminal convictions.

Thomas University Departments supporting students collect and process Information and Sensitive Information from individuals who are students only as necessary in the exercise of the College’s legitimate interests, functions, and responsibilities as a higher education institution.

Information is collected from students and shared with internal and external parties to: register or enroll persons in the College, provide and administer housing to students, manage student accounts, provide academic advising, develop and deliver education programs, track academic progress, analyze and improve education programs, recruit students, make regulatory reports, audit, maintain of accreditation, and other related College processes and functions. Thomas University Departments supporting students also use Information and Sensitive Information to conduct general demographic and statistical research to improve the College’s programs.

Sensitive Information is collected, processed, and shared internally and externally as necessary, applicable, and appropriate in order to: identify appropriate support services or activities, provide reasonable accommodations, enforce College policies, and comply with applicable laws. Information and Sensitive Information may be shared by the International Programs Office with third parties who have entered into contracts with the College in order to perform functions on behalf of the College while sponsoring or hosting programs, subject to the obligation of confidentiality and safeguarding from unauthorized disclosure.

Third Party Use of Sensitive Information
Thomas University may disclose a student’s Sensitive Information and other Information as follows:

• Consent: Thomas University may disclose Sensitive Information and other Information if it has a student’s consent to do so.
• Emergency Circumstances: Thomas University may share a student’s Information and Sensitive Information when necessary to protect the student’s interests when the student is physically or legally incapable of providing consent.
• Employment Necessity: Thomas University may share a student’s Sensitive Information when necessary for administering employment benefits, subject to the imposition of appropriate safeguards to prevent further unauthorized disclosure.
• Public Information: Thomas University may share a student’s Information and Sensitive Information if the student has manifestly made it public
• Archiving: Thomas University may share a student’s Information and Sensitive Information for archiving purposes in the public interest, for historical research, and for statistical purposes.
• Performance of a Contract: Thomas University may share a student’s Information when necessary to administer a contract the student has with the College.
• Legal Obligation: Thomas University may share a student’s Information when the disclosure is required or permitted by international, federal, and state laws and regulations.
• Service Providers: Thomas University uses third parties who have entered into a contract with the College to support the administration of College operations and policies. In such cases, the College will share a student’s Information with such third parties subject to the imposition of appropriate safeguards to prevent further unauthorized disclosure.
• College Affiliated Programs: Thomas University may share a student’s Information with parties that are affiliated with the College for the purpose of contacting the student about goods, services, or experiences that may be of interest to the student.
• De-Identified and Aggregate Information: Thomas University may use and disclosure Information in de-identified or aggregate form without limitation.

Security
Thomas University ensures that there are appropriate technical controls in place to protect your personal details. For example, College online forms are always encrypted and the College network is protected and routinely monitored. Thomas University undertakes regular reviews of who has access to information that it holds to ensure that your information is only accessible by relevant staff, volunteers and business partners.

Thomas University appoints an external party to undertake a screening of information, any such arrangements are subject to a formal agreement between the College and that firm has measures to protect the security of all data.

Individuals with questions about their personal data collected and processed by Thomas University’s Student Affairs Office and International Programs Office should contact mwendell@vaftizo.com.

Retention and Destruction of a Student’s Information
A student’s Information will be retained by the College in accordance with applicable federal laws and the College’s Record Retention Policy. A student’s Information will be destroyed upon the student’s request unless applicable law requires destruction after the expiration of an applicable retention period. The manner of destruction shall be appropriate to preserve and ensure the confidentiality of the student’s information given the level of sensitivity, value, and criticality to the College.

A Student’s Rights
Students have the right to request access to, a copy of, rectification of, restriction in the use of, or erasure of Information in accordance with all applicable laws. The erasure of a student’s Information shall be subject to the retention periods of applicable federal law and the College’s Record Retention Policy.

If the student has provided consent to the use of his / her Information, the student has the right to withdraw consent without affecting the lawfulness of the College’s use of the Information prior to receipt of the request. Students may exercise these rights by contacting the Registrar.

Information created in the EU will be transferred out of the EU to the College. If a student feels the College has not complied with applicable foreign laws regulating such Information, the student has the right to file a complaint with the appropriate supervisory authority in the EU.

Updates to this Policy
Thomas University may update or change this policy at any time. A student’s continued use of the College’s website and third party applications after any such change indicates the student’s acceptance of these changes.

GDPR 2018 EU APPLICANT STUDENTS NOTICE CONSENT

Thomas University awards the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and specialist degrees. Degrees will be conferred in the summer, fall and spring, upon the recommendation of the faculty, to students who have successfully completed all course requirements. The Commencement ceremony for all students graduating in summer, fall, and spring of an academic year is conducted at the end of the spring semester.To be eligible for graduation, all undergraduate students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and all graduate students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.  At least 25% of all hours earned toward any degree must have been earned at Thomas University. Students completing the bachelor’s degree must earn 24 of the last 30 hours of upper-division coursework at Thomas University.

Students who are awarded a bachelor’s degree may earn the distinction of graduating Summa Cum Laude (4.0 CGPA), Magna Cum Laude (3.75-3.99 CGPA), or Cum Laude (3.5-3.74 cumulative GPA). Associate degree honor graduates are those students who graduate with a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher. GPAs for Latin honors are calculated using all attempted hours at Thomas University through the end of the fall semester preceding graduation. Honors will not be re-calculated after all grades are posted.

Graduation Procedures

Students who expect to graduate must:

1. Students who intend to graduate must complete the Application for Graduation located in Hawklink by November 15^th of the academic year in which you anticipate completion of your degree. Students who graduate in the fall are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony the following spring.  Students who graduate in the summer and are taking 10 credit hours or less are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony the prior spring.
2. Pay graduation fees — ALL students pay a graduation fee of $175.
   Note: Graduation fees cover all expenses associated with graduation, including your diploma.  This is a required fee regardless of the application process or participation in the Commencement ceremony.
3. Clear all accounts in the Business Office.
4. Complete a graduating student exit survey. Graduating students will receive a link to the survey via email in mid to late April.
5. Degrees will not be conferred until ALL requirements have been met.

The Application for Graduation is available in Hawklink.