Golden Gate University provides resources and services for the benefit of its students and faculty. Programs and services complement the academic programs, promote student learning and personal development, and help students address special needs or difficulties. They also help to motivate and inspire students to devote time and energy to educationally purposeful activities, both inside and outside the classroom. Programs and services are designed to promote student success, satisfaction, and a sense of belonging and connection to GGU.
Golden Gate University believes student life, academic work and professional studies are interrelated parts of the university experience. We encourage students to develop their professional and personal skills through the academic and student life programs.
Office of Enrollment Services
The Office of Enrollment Services includes the following services: applications processing; admissions; evaluation of transfer credit; services for international students.
Admissions & Re-Admit Advising
Tax Program New Student & Re-Admit Advising
University Advising Center
Academic advisors are available to explain academic program requirements, to help students select classes to be taken in a timely and appropriate order, and to help students satisfy their program requirements without delay or conflict. All new students are required to have their schedules approved in advance of registration in myGGU/Student Self-Service. For more information about making an appointment or speaking to your assigned advisor visit our Academic Advising web page.
Division of Student Success
The Division of Student Success is responsible for many student services, such as the student success orientation for new students, disability resources & academic accommodations, commencement ceremony, student life, personal counseling, judicial and conflict resolution, wellness resources, and special events. It also oversees the Student Government Association (SGA), student blog (GGU Social), and student clubs and activities. For more information regarding the division, visit the Student Services web page or contact the office at divofstudentsuccess@my.ggu.edu or 415-442-7288.
Office of International Student Services
Designated School Officials (DSOs) provide services and programs to students from countries throughout the world. Currently, more than 200 international students attend the university during an academic year. DSOs assist international students with understanding and interpreting US immigration regulations governing their status, designs and implements programs and services to enhance international students’ educational, personal and professional experience, and promotes and facilitates intercultural exchanges and understanding among all Golden Gate University students.
DSOs counsel students and visiting scholars regarding employment regulations, immigration matters, travel, and more. There are many rules, regulations and policies that apply to international students studying in the United States under nonimmigrant visas. All international students enrolling at GGU are encouraged to contact a DSO to obtain information regarding their rights and responsibilities.
Health Insurance for International Students
At Golden Gate University, students with an F-1 visa are not required to have health insurance. However, Golden Gate University encourages all students with an F-1 visa to maintain health insurance from the first day that they enroll at the University through their last day of enrollment.
Students and visiting scholars with a J-1 visa and their accompanying dependents (J-2 visa holders) are required to have health insurance coverage during the entire period of time they are in the US in J-1 or J-2 non-immigrant status with the minimum benefits established in the CFR - Exchange Visitor Program (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-62/subpart-A/section-62.14).
Health insurance options for international students are posted on the Golden Gate University Student Service’s website (https://www.ggu.edu/experience/student-services/).
General Information and Student Resources
Student Government Association (SGA)
Clubs and Organizations
Student clubs and organizations offer many opportunities to Golden Gate University students. Clubs can form around career related interests (ex: accounting, ITM, data analytics) or social (ex: running club, ping pong club). To form a new club or organization, or to renew an old club charter, the group must register with the Student Government Association. For a list of currently active clubs and organizations, see the GGU4YOU Clubs and Government web page, or email divofstudentsuccess@my.ggu.edu.
Commencement
The University provides annual commencement exercises for graduating students. Speakers of national and local merit are frequent guests. Commencement exercises are held in the San Francisco after the spring trimester. For questions regarding the commencement ceremony, call 415-442-7288, email commencement@ggu.edu, or visit the Commencement Ceremony web page. For questions regarding the graduation requirements and/or diploma and degree status, contact the Office of the Registrar at 415-442-7278 or email graduation@ggu.edu.
Office of Accessible Education
Golden Gate University continuously seeks to ensure that its programs and services are fully accessible to all students. The Office of Accessible Education will work with students to clarify their needs, and help them identify and utilize appropriate accommodations. Students are also provided University guidelines for the documentation of a disability that requires academic accommodations. Students are strongly encouraged to meet early in the term with the Office of Disability Resources & Accommodations to most effectively use the following services:
- Testing accommodations and other services
- Introduction to faculty regarding classroom and academic accommodations, including testing alternatives and audio recording lectures
- Alternative-formatted textbooks
- Individual counseling and support
- Referrals to outside resources and advocacy, as needs are identified
Health Insurance for Domestic Students
GGU encourages all students to maintain health insurance. Students who do not have coverage through work, spouse or another resource, are encouraged to check the state of California’s health insurance exchange: https://www.coveredca.com/
The Helen Diller Center for Veterans of U.S. Military Service
The veterans center at GGU is staffed by a team of veterans and military spouses who work closely with other university offices such as the VA Certifying Officials and Student Services. The Diller Center is a resource for our military connected students and assists with new student onboarding, VA benefits optimization, career readiness and more. You can find more information, schedule an appointment with our staff, and register for upcoming events by visiting military.ggu.edu.
Leadership Programs
The Student Government Association and the student blog, GGU Social, both provide scholarships for student leaders. Contact the Division of Student Success for more information at divofstudentsuccess@my.ggu.edu or 415-442-7288.
Orientation Programs
Prior to each trimester, newly admitted students are invited to attend a New Student Success Orientation where they receive information about university services, academic advising, and success strategies. All new students are encouraged to attend. Visit https://www.ggu.edu/experience/student-services/special-events/orientation/ or contact divofstudentsuccess@my.ggu.edu for more information.
Student Activities, Programs and Events
Golden Gate University seeks to develop student activities and events that promote student learning, personal development, community building, and inclusion while being purposeful and reflective of the demographic and busy lives of the student body. Student activities include social, cultural, intellectual, recreational, governance, leadership and community service opportunities. Activities are planned and coordinated by student groups; some are planned by faculty and staff and coordinated with student groups.
Student Government
All students are invited to participate in the Student Government Association. The SGA represents students on a variety of university decision-making committees such as the Board of Trustees and the faculty senate. More information about the SGA can be found on our GGU4YOU Student Government Association web page.
Student Information and Regulations
A university requires an environment conducive to the intellectual and personal growth of its students. Golden Gate University seeks to cultivate a sense of personal integrity in each of its students. Students are expected to strive toward this objective and to develop as individuals in a manner consistent with the educational purposes of the university. Most of the university’s student-related policies and regulations are found in this catalog, including the Alcohol and Drug-Free Policy . Students should pay particular attention to the Student Code of Conduct , the Academic Integrity Policy , and the Discrimination & Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Title IX Policy as these policies govern appropriate behavior inside and outside the classroom. Additional policies by which students must abide are found on the GGU Website on the Policies page. Questions about university policies pertaining to students should be directed to the Division of Student Success at divofstudentsuccess@my.ggu.edu or 415-442-7288.
Student Blog
GGU Social is the official communication for the student community. GGU Social informs students of events and activities, provides a venue for the responsible exchange of student opinions, and contains informative articles on various topics of interest to the University community. You can view it online at https://ggusocial.com/.
Vending, Printing, and Copying Services
An assortment of vending machines can be found throughout the academic building on the San Francisco. Facilities for printing and copying are located in the libraries.
Undergraduate and Graduate Career Center
GGU offers a wide range of free career services to students and alumni. We also work closely with employers and industry professionals to connect them with our diverse and experienced student body. See the Career Services web page for more information.
Career Consulting
Career consultants are available to meet with students and alumni either in-person, online, over the phone, or during our drop-in hours. We provide students with the tools and resources to turn curiosity into action. We work closely with students in the iterative process of professional development and work/life integration. We offer one-on-one career consulting, online resources and tools, virtual programming, access to program-specific jobs and internships, and networking events with alumni and industry professionals.
Individual sessions are available by appointment via The Bridge. Career services are free for students and alumni.
The Bridge
Career planning resources and tools are available to all students and alumni and can be accessed anytime via The Bridge, GGU’s online career portal. Our virtual career center includes job and internship listings, an events calendar, and access to online resources. New students will automatically be enrolled in The Bridge during their first term of enrollment. Alumni can also register by emailing careers@ggu.edu and requesting access.
Online Career Resources
Our eLearning course has a wide variety of brief webshops on selected topics. These webshops are accessible 24/7. Simply login through the myGGU portal and locate the Student GGU Resources under the Student Resources Block.
Networking Events
The Undergraduate and Graduate Career Center sponsors a variety of career events including employer information sessions, panel events, and networking luncheons. Students can log in to their The Bridge account to learn about and register for upcoming events.
Internships
Career consultants work with students on defining their career goals and assisting in the internship search. A list of employers who have hired GGU students as interns can be found on the GGU4YOU Career Planning page.
Learning Support Services
Tutoring is available throughout the academic year from the following departments:
These services are available at no cost to all Golden Gate University students.
Alumni Association
After graduating from GGU, your connection to your alma mater does not end. The GGU Alumni Association welcomes you into the alumni family of more than 68,000 members. The mission of the Golden Gate University Alumni Association is to facilitate rewarding engagement opportunities between alumni, students and the university community. The Alumni Association Board of Directors works with the Office of Alumni Engagement to create meaningful activities that support the mission of Golden Gate University and encourage continued success for our graduates. Alumni can apply for election to the Alumni Association Board and are encouraged to attend virtual and in-person alumni events in your areas. The Alumni Association encourages GGU graduates to support the achievement of current students and to remain connected to each other and the university throughout their lifetime.
All graduates of Golden Gate University are members of the Alumni Association. Membership is free to all who hold a degree, diploma, or certificate from Golden Gate University. Alumni are encouraged to update their contact information by emailing alumni@ggu.edu, so that they may receive the alumni e-newsletters and event invitations. Alumni can remain connected to GGU happenings through university social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Alumni engagement promotes strong bonds within our alumni body and helps ensure GGU success for years to come. To learn more on how you can get involved and support GGU, please visit the alumni website at www.ggu.edu/alumni or email us at alumni@ggu.edu.
GGU HUB
The GGU HUB is Golden Gate University’s “one-stop-shop” for all non-academic departments that students may need to visit, and provides a comfortable indoor setting for socializing, studying and relaxing. Open continuously throughout the day, the space is located on the first floor of 536 Mission Street, which also houses the Golden Gate University Bookstore and GGU Café. You can contact the GGU HUB, call 415-442-7800 or email gguhub@ggu.edu.
Bookstore and Café
Working in partnership with the Follett Higher Education Group (FHEG), the Golden Gate University Bookstore is the University’s main source for textbooks, reference materials, the latest bestsellers, as well as university logo clothing and gift items, school supplies and computer software.
The bookstore carries all of the required course materials (new and used texts, readers, study guides) as well as the faculty’s recommended selections. In addition, a variety of study-aids, reference books, federal and state codes, and other specialized and professional titles are offered. We also carry a selection of law books, including the Rutter Group and Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) materials.
Aside from course materials, the bookstore offers an extensive array of sport clothing and gym wear, casual shirts and ball caps, along with backpacks, diploma frames, class rings and jewelry items, and other exclusive GGU gifts.
To make life easier for everyone at all locations, students can order the books and other required materials for their classes via the bookstore website. Visit the GGU Bookstore website and follow the instructions for placing an order. When placing an order online, students can select new or used textbooks and opt to have the materials shipped directly to them or reserved and held in the store for future pick-up. Order status can be tracked online as well.
The bookstore accepts most major credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express). Arrangements can be made to use a financial aid book voucher, and/or company special billing voucher. Personal checks are accepted with proper student/employee identification.
The Golden Gate University Bookstore is located in the 1st floor GGU HUB of 536 Mission Street. For hours of operation and other questions, please call 415-442-7277.
GGU Café by Follett
The GGU Café is located in the 1st floor GGU HUB of 536 Mission Street on the San Francisco campus. Operated by Follett, it offers a wide variety of made-to-order coffee drinks, as well as other hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages, plus pastries and other light snacks. This indoor café is the daily meeting place for students to socialize, study or just relax before and after classes. Hours vary throughout the trimester but, typically, the GGU Café is open Monday through Friday, from early morning until late afternoon.
Complaint Resolution Procedures
We encourage students and others to first address their concerns by contacting the individual student, professor, department, or employee involved to try to resolve the issue.
Students have several options for filing complaints at the University:
Grade Grievance - the grade grievance process is for students who feel that their final grade in a course was incorrect for one (or more) of the following reasons:
- The instructor deviated from written grading policies outlined in the course syllabus;
- The mathematical means by which a final course grade was calculated was not consistent with policies outlined in the course syllabus (including factual and calculation errors);
- Deviation from University policies pertaining to grading;
- The final course grade was influenced by factors other than published criteria (i.e., the decision was discriminatory);
- Factual errors or errors in judgment regarding the academic quality of a student’s work; and/or,
- An academic sanction for academic dishonesty was unfair, improper or unwarranted.
General Student Grievance - the general grievance process can be used when you feel that you have not been treated fairly or you have a complaint about a decision that was made (there are several exceptions where this procedure is not used because there is another process in place already). For more information or to report a grievance, contact the Division of Student Success at divofstudentsuccess@my.ggu.edu or 415-442-7288.
Discrimination & Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Title IX Policy - this policy and process is applicable if you believe that you have been discriminated against or harassed due to a number of reasons, including your race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, marital status, religion and/or age. This policy provides information about applicable federal and state standards that apply to the Golden Gate University community regarding discrimination and harassment. For more information or to report an incident, contact the Division of Student Success at divofstudentsuccess@my.ggu.edu or 415-442-7288.
Student Code of Conduct - If you believe that a fellow student may have violated the student code of conduct, you should report that to the Division of Student Success at divofstudentsuccess@my.ggu.edu.
Academic Integrity Policy - If you are aware of a student who has violated GGU’s academic integrity policy, please contact the course instructor or the dean of the school in which you are enrolled. If you are unsure who to reach out to, please contact the Academic Integrity at academicintegrity@ggu.edu.
General Student Grievance
Because it is committed to administering its policies in a sound and equitable manner, Golden Gate University has developed this general grievance procedure to assist in resolving student complaints. There are separate complaint and appeal procedures for disagreements over disability services for students; for appeals Student Code of Conduct violations; for complaints of discrimination or sexual harassment ; for appeal of sanctions under the Academic Integrity Policy ; and for appeals concerning the Grade Grievance Policy . This grievance procedure applies to all students taking courses in the Schools of Business, Taxation, Accounting, and/or in Undergraduate Programs.
Any student who believes that he or she has a valid complaint regarding any decision, other than those specified above, made by or on behalf of the University may use this grievance procedure. Any student who believes that the University did not properly administer a GGU policy, other than those specified above, may use this grievance procedure. All students are expected to exhaust these grievance procedures before utilizing external avenues of redress.
Step-1: Informal Resolution: The student should discuss the matter with the responsible decision-maker within 30 days of the decision or event giving rise to the complaint. If no acceptable resolution results from this discussion, the student should consult with the head of the department or administrative office responsible for the decision. If the matter remains unsettled after that discussion, the student may proceed to Step 2. The student should make every effort to resolve the matter at Step 1 before proceeding to Step 2.
Step-2: Administration Review: The grieving student (“grievant”) shall notify the Dean of Student Affairs in writing via email of the intention to file a complaint and the nature of the problem. This written notification must occur within 60 calendar days of the decision or event about which the student is complaining. Within 14 calendar days after notifying the Dean of Students, the grieving student shall transmit to the Dean of Students a written statement documenting the basis for the complaint, including:
- all facts
- related documents
- persons involved
- adverse consequences
- informal efforts at resolution made to date, and
- corrective action sought.
The Dean of Student Affairs (or designee) shall transmit a copy of the grievant’s written statement to the Vice President for Academic Affairs (or designee).
Within three (3) work days of receipt of the written grievance, the Vice President for Academic Affairs shall appoint a reviewer from among the administration and faculty who are employed by the University and whom s/he believes are qualified to conduct meetings and arrive at an equitable determination of the merits of the grievance. Within 10 calendar days of the date assigned to review the matter, the reviewer will afford the grievant and the responsible decision-maker an opportunity to present information and explanation in a business meeting, but without the presence of attorneys. Within 15 work days of such meeting(s) the reviewer shall issue a written report and recommendation, and send a copy to both the grievant and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Step-3: Decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs: The Vice President for Academic Affairs will promptly review the report and recommendation of the administration reviewer and, following an opportunity for written comment from the grievant, will issue final decision, with copy to the grievant. The decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs will be final.
Student Consumer Complaints
If you feel you are unable to resolve the complaint through informal and formal steps taken within GGU, you may choose to contact the oversight agency below depending on the physical location you are attending.
WASC Senior College and University Commission (Accrediting Agency)
Website: https://www.wscuc.org/comments
California
Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)
Address: 1747 N. Market Blvd., Suite 225, Sacramento, CA 95834
Telephone: 888-370-7589/916-574-8900
FAX: 916-263-1897
Online complaint form: https://www.bppe.ca.gov/enforcement/complaint.shtml
Website: www.bppe.ca.gov
Connecticut
Emily Bjornberg
Senior Consultant
Academic Affairs
Connecticut Office of Higher Education
450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 707
Hartford, CT 06103
Telephone: 860-575-1127 (cell); 860-947-1824 (office)
Email: Emily.Bjornberg@ct.gov
Oregon
Higher Education Coordinating Commission
ATTN: Complaints-ODA
3225 25th St. SE
Salem, OR 97302
Utah
Utah Division of Consumer Protection
PO BOX 146704
Salt Lake City, UT 84117-6704
Telephone: (801) 530-6601
Email: consumerprotection@utah.gov
Website: https://dcp.utah.gov/consumers/
Online complaint form: dcp.utah.gov/cf
Washington
Washington Student Achievement Council
917 Lakeridge Way SW
Olympia, WA 98502
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