Services and Policies

Following are brief explanations of library resources, services and academic policies.

Eva Renate Reich Library

At Santa Barbara Graduate Institute we hold the vision of becoming an international hub of research and teaching in the fields of prenatal and perinatal psychology and somatic psychology. With this intention we are gathering collections of current and foundational research, out of print and hard to find publications in these fields. 

With intention to honor our elders and build on their efforts as well as the work of current pioneers, we name the library at Santa Barbara Graduate Institute the Eva Renate Reich Library. We honor and respect her tireless efforts in both fields of somatic psychology and prenatal and perinatal psychology. Eva Renate Reich, M.D., is an extraordinary example of the possibilities the work at Santa Barbara Graduate Institute can fulfill – solid scholarship, clear vision and wide dissemination of humanitarian values.

Eva Renate Reich, M.D., the daughter of Wilhelm Reich, is a pioneer in her own right. Her relentless, passionate mission of changing birth practices, teaching and advocating for natural, non-violent childbirth, sex education, and healthy families has taken her around the world. In her persevering work of "humanizing humanity" she has helped to create natural birth centers, taught "baby butterfly massage," and has facilitated countless people in working to resolve their birth trauma.

Library Services at Santa Barbara Graduate Institute are dedicated to helping our students develop mastery in using print, audiovisual, and electronic collections to support their lifelong learning and their professional contributions. Student access to professional databases as well as the resources of the Internet is provided on-site over a high speed DSL Internet connection. These resources are also available, via password-protected access, to students through their Web services at home. Databases include PsychInfo, PubMed (Medline), ERIC, Child Abuse and Neglect Abstracts, and Primal Health Research.

A comprehensive program of library instruction is offered including formal classes, additional problem-based learning in selected core classes, and one-on-one instruction, either in person or via phone and electronic “help desk” service. Professional reference assistance and consultations are also available to students.

A Santa Barbara Graduate Institute “virtual library” web site has been developed to provide a gateway to electronic resources and instruction. Students are expected to have access to the World Wide Web. They are invited to participate with faculty and fellow students in on-line discussions that strengthen contact among academic community members and enhance the learning experience.

A reading room/lending library, emphasizing somatic psychology and prenatal and perinatal psychology, is available on-site. Books, videos and journals are available for research. Despite developments in the electronic delivery of information, access to the physical collections of academic research libraries is essential to graduate level research. Individual consultations are held with each student to determine additional resources in their home community to point them toward in-depth research.

Student Services

In addition to library services, we provide the following services for students:

Academic Counseling: The Academic Dean and Program Chairpersons are available for academic counseling as needed. Faculty and Administrative Staff are always available to students via email, phone and personal meetings by appointment.

Textbooks:  The Institute does not maintain a bookstore. Students are given course syllabi and reading lists prior to the commencement of each quarter, enabling them to purchase materials and prepare for classes prior to the first class meeting.

Tutorial Assistance: A student who is working below standard may elect to take a tutorial with a faculty member. The charge for a tutorial is $150 per month. The student requesting a tutorial completes a Request for Tutorial form and gives it to their Program Chairperson who will suggest an appropriate faculty member for the tutorial.

Academic Policies

If any SBGI community member feels that their academic freedoms have not been honored, they are encouraged to speak with a faculty member or administrator. They may also consult and follow the grievance policy that encourages open dialogue and, if necessary, contains a formal procedure for being heard by the Education Council and the President.

Student Attendance
Students are expected to be on time and attend all class meetings for each course. A student may not miss more than one day or 33% of any course. Given the experiential nature of much coursework, an approved tutorial may be required to compensate for missed class time. Absences in the excess of four days per year will necessitate a mutual academic review by the student and the Education Council.

Class time missed in observance of religious holidays will be excused without those days counting as part of the allotted four days. It is the responsibility of the student to inform their instructors of excused absences. In such cases, students must give notice in writing ahead of time to the course instructor. Students are responsible for all materials and missed assignments.

Excessive unexcused absences may be cause for academic probation or academic disqualification. (See section below on Academic Standing.)

Academic Progress and Performance
Santa Barbara Graduate Institute believes that grades are not the most important evaluation of education. Rather, SBGI sees grades as a valuable indicator of the student’s accomplishment and progress, a way to communicate level of excellence or need for improvement, as well as a way to convey the student’s progress through their transcripts.

Grading Policy
Most classes, with the exception of clinical skills classes, give letter grades. Classes where the student is learning clinical skills and in which students participate in their personal process may give a grade of Pass or No Pass. The method of grading is stated in the course syllabus. To receive a grade of “pass,” a student must complete all required coursework at the level of “B” or better.

Grading Scale

A  Excellent
A-  Very Good
B+  Good
B  Satisfactory
B-  Needs improvement/marginally meets graduate work standards–Pass
C  Needs significant improvement. Did not meet graduate work standards
I  Incomplete
P  Pass
NP  No Pass

Incompletes
In order to receive an incomplete, the student must obtain written approval from the course instructor and, except under extenuating circumstances, pay the $30 administrative fee. All incompletes must be satisfactorily concluded by the following quarter’s final grading period. When an Incomplete is not satisfactorily concluded within the time limits, the grade will be calculated based on the work completed by the original quarter due date. If this is Fail or No Pass the student will not receive credit for the course.

Academic Standing
A graduate student’s academic standing depends on grades and attendance. The categories of scholastic standing are described below.

Good Standing: A graduate student is considered to be in good academic standing when a minimum of a “B” average is maintained.

Satisfactory Progress: Students achieve satisfactory progress by maintaining good academic standing. Students who do not maintain satisfactory progress will be referred to the Academic Dean and/or Education Council and may be placed on academic probation or be subject to academic disqualification.

Academic Probation: Students are placed on academic probation upon failure to achieve or maintain good academic standing. Students may also be placed on academic probation for excessive unexcused absences or for failure to follow the SBGI honesty policy. After being notified of their probationary status, it is recommended that the student contact the Academic Dean for advisement. Probationary status is removed when the student returns to good academic standing. A student may be on academic probation for no more than one quarter. If the probation status is not removed within one enrolled quarter, the student is placed on academic disqualification status.

Warning of Unsatisfactory Academic Performance: Students doing unsatisfactory work may receive a Notice of Unsatisfactory Progress prior to receiving their quarterly grades. Students who appear unable to perform satisfactorily in a course are normally encouraged to withdraw.

Clinical Probation: Students who do not make satisfactory progress in their clinical classes, field placement or traineeship are placed on clinical probation. Grounds for clinical probation include one or more of the following: failure to secure a placement, unsatisfactory reports from the clinical supervisor; substantiated charges of legal or ethical violations in regard to the practice of psychotherapy; or poor performance in the clinical methodology/clinical application courses. The Education Council will conduct an investigation before any student is placed on clinical probation.

Students on clinical probation may remedy their situation in one or more of the following ways: participate in additional personal/group psychotherapy; obtain further clinical supervision; enroll in a relevant clinical tutorial program or class and/or suspend their internship activity. A review will take place within six months of being placed on probation.

Academic Disqualification: The circumstances under which a student would be liable for placement on academic disqualification status are as follows:

• Students who have failed to maintain academic standing for two consecutive quarters are placed on academic disqualification.
• Students who do not make satisfactory progress during the six-month clinical probation may be placed on academic disqualification status. Such students may make a written and oral presentation to show cause for remaining in the program.
• If students have not successfully passed the annual review process and have not fulfilled the remedial requirements addressed in the annual review, they may be placed academic disqualification.
• If any of these situations occur, the Registrar will notify the student of academic disqualification. This status bars further registration in any course pending a review by the Education Council.

Appeals Procedure: In the event of academic disqualification, students may initiate a petition to the Education Council. Petitions to the Education Council must be submitted to the Registrar at least 72 hours preceding the Education Council Meeting. The Council will review and consider all materials submitted and will respond in writing to the petitioner. A copy of the Council’s action, along with the student’s petition, will be placed in the student’s permanent file.

Reinstatement: Students who have been placed on academic disqualification status and who are reinstated must meet all minimal grade and graduation standards to become eligible for a degree.

Leave of Absence
An approved leave of absence authorizes the student to return to the Institute within the approved time (up to one year). In general, if a student is in good academic standing, the leave of absence will be approved. A student who wishes a leave of absence must obtain the form from the Registrar’s Office and secure signatures from the Program Chairperson and the Cashier. An unauthorized Leave of Absence will result in needing to re-apply for admission. When re-admitted, the student will be required to comply with all graduation requirements in effect at the time of re-admittance.

Transfer of Credit
Due to the unique nature and subject matter of the graduate programs, students are required to complete all coursework at SBGI. A student may petition for transfer of credit. In extenuating circumstances, coursework from other institutions may be accepted for transfer. However, acceptance of transfer credit may not reduce tuition or length of time.      

Non-Discrimination Policy
Santa Barbara Graduate Institute, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972, admits students of either sex, and of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation or national and ethnic origins well as those with disabilities, status as a Vietnam-era or other veteran, to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally made available to students at the Institute. The Institute does not discriminate against students on the basis of sex, race, color, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarships and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.

Inquiries regarding federal laws and regulations about nondiscrimination in education or the Institute’s compliance with those provisions should be directed to:

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
221 Main Street, Suite 1020
San Francisco, CA 94105

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, commonly known as the Buckley Amendment, provides students with certain rights regarding their educational records. Under this Act, students have the right to 1) inspect and review their educational records, 2) the right to request the amendment of their educational records that the student believes to be inaccurate or misleading and 3) the right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational records, except where FERPA allows disclosure without consent. One such exception is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the Institute in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff capacity; a person or company with whom the Institute has contracted, such as an auditor, attorney or collection agent; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee.

• A student who wishes to inspect their records should submit to the appropriate Institute official–the Registrar–a written request, identifying the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Institute official will make arrangements for access and notify the student when and where the records may be inspected.
  
• Any student who believes that some part of their educational record is inaccurate or misleading may request an amendment of records. The request should be made in writing to the Institute official responsible for the record, clearly identifying the part of the record they want changed, and stating specifically why it is inaccurate or misleading.
  
• A student must give written consent before the Institute can release student records to any perspective employer, government agency, credit bureau, etc.
  
• Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the Institute to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The student should address grievances to:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605

Sexual Harassment Policy
Principle: SBGI is committed to maintaining a humane atmosphere in which individuals do not abuse their personal authority or power in interpersonal relationships. More specifically, the faculty, staff, and students of SBGI will not condone actions and words that could be reasonably regarded as either sexual harassment or gender discrimination.

Definition: Sexual harassment is defined as:

• Repeated and unwelcome sexual advances that interfere with an individual's work or academic environment;
• Offering academic or employment related rewards in return for sexual favors;
• Threatening academic or employment related reprisal for the refusal of sexual favors,
• Spreading false stories about a person’s sexual conduct; or
• Falsely accusing someone of sexual harassment. Gender discrimination is defined as derogatory reference to gender, either in word or gesture.

Investigation and Appeal Procedures
Anyone who believes he or she has been the object of gender discrimination or sexual harassment should so advise SBGI President, Dr. Marti Glenn.  Investigation of a complaint will be conducted and will be undertaken immediately and conducted in an expeditious manner, assuring confidentiality to the extent feasible, consistent with the following provisions:

• The complaint must be in writing with sufficient specificity and must allege action that constitutes sexual harassment or gender discrimination.
• A person bringing a complaint founded in good faith will suffer no retaliation.
• The person charged will be promptly notified and given an opportunity to respond.
• If a complaint is found to be true, appropriate counseling may be made available to the offender and/or disciplinary action or dismissal consistent with the degree of seriousness of the harassment or discrimination may be instituted.
• If a written complaint is viewed as not specific or substantial enough to fall within the definition of "sexual harassment" or "gender discrimination" herein, the person complained against may be informed that a complaint has been made, reminded of the existence of the Sexual Harassment Policy, but no disciplinary action or further steps need be taken.

Any individual will have up to 30 days after the alleged occurrences to file a complaint. It must be recognized, however, that a lengthy period of time between an alleged occurrence and an investigation may make fact-finding extremely difficult or impossible.

Student Privacy and Confidentiality
In the interest of creating a safe container for learning as well as upholding professional ethics, the Institute respects the confidentiality of all matters pertaining to students. Because of the experiential nature of many classes, students often disclose personal material in the course of an exercise or assignment. In fact, students work first with their own process, their own history, before applying a concept to others. The Institute has a strong policy regarding confidentiality: All personal and family issues discussed by students or other participants as part of the educational process, may not be related or shared in any way outside the classroom without consent. This includes not only a person’s story but also the identity of a client or someone working as a client. Such material may not be discussed outside the educational context in which it occurs, and no personal material may be revealed. This includes video and audio tape recordings or any other electronic records of confidential material. Information of any kind will not be released to individuals or agencies outside the Institute without the student’s written consent.

Directory
The Institute publishes a directory of faculty, staff and students. The information in the directory will include name, address, telephone, fax number, E-mail and web address, degree program and dates of attendance. If a student wishes to have any or all of their information withheld, they should sign the “Request to Withhold Directory Information” available from the Registrar, stating specifically what information may and may not be released.

Grievance Policy
It is our intention to deal consciously and openly with grievances within the academic community. This can be accomplished on a number of levels. For grievances among community members, the first level is to encourage the two parties to speak directly. If that is not possible, or if it does not produce a satisfactory resolution, we encourage each party to invite two supporters within the community to meet as a group. This group hears each side, reflects each position, highlighting the positive intention beneath each behavior, and asks what is needed for resolution. If this process does not produce a satisfactory resolution, a more formal meeting will be held with the Program Chair or Academic Dean, a core faculty member and two student representatives.

Any academic or personal problems, disagreements or misunderstandings among administrators, faculty and students should be rectified whenever possible by the parties involved. If an aggrieved student is unable to resolve the difficulty in this manner s/he should direct the issue to the Academic Dean for assistance. The Dean may suggest mediation or arbitration as a way of resolving the grievance issue. If the student does not find satisfaction through this means, s/he is urged to submit the grievance in writing to the Education Council who will conduct an investigation. The Council will submit a recommendation for a course of action and the student will be notified in writing of the Council’s decision.

Student Tuition Recovery Fund
The Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) was established by the Legislature to protect any California Resident who attends a private postsecondary institution from losing money if you prepaid tuition and suffered a financial loss as a result of the school closing, failing to live up to its enrollment agreement, or refusing to pay a court judgment.

To be eligible for STRF, you must be a “California resident” and reside in California at the time the enrollment agreement is signed or when you receive lessons at a California mailing address from an approved institution offering correspondence instruction.  Students who are temporarily residing in California for the sole purpose of pursuing an education, specifically those who hold student visas, are not considered a “California resident.”

To qualify for STRF reimbursement you must file a STRF application within one year of receiving notice from the Council that the school is closed. If you do not receive notice from the Council, you have four years from the date of closure to file a STRF application. If a judgment is obtained you must file a STRF application within two years of the final judgment.

It is important that you keep copies of the enrollment agreement, financial aid papers, receipts and any other information that documents the monies paid to the school. Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to:

Student Tution Recovery Fund
Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education
P.O. Box 980818
Sacramento, CA  95798-0818
(916) 445-3427

Student Records
It is the policy of the Institute to fully comply with the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. The Institute will maintain student records for at least 50 years.

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