Mar 18, 2024  
2019-2020 Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Services



Golden Gate University provides resources and services for the benefit of the university’s students and faculty at all locations. 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 satisfaction and student perseverance.

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.

Enrollment Services

Admissions & Re-Admit Advising

415-442-7800 Fax 415-442-7807 info@ggu.edu

Tax Program New Student & Re-Admit Advising

415-442-7880 tax@ggu.edu

Academic Advising Services

University Advising Center

415-442-7800 uac@ggu.edu

Student Affairs

General Information and Student Resources

415-442-7288 Fax 415-442-7284 studentaffairs@ggu.edu

Office of Career Planning

415-442-7299   careers@ggu.edu

Disability Resources & Academic Accommodations

415-442-7862 Fax 415-543-6680 gguds@ggu.edu

Student Government Association (SGA)

536 Mission St., Plaza-69 sga@ggu.edu

Student Life

415-442-7288, ext 1 studentlife@ggu.edu

Tutoring Services - San Francisco Campus

Math Lab

University Library, Room 1331  See GGU4YOU: ggu.edu/mathlab

Writing Lab

University Library, Room 1331 See GGU4YOU: ggu.edu/writinglab

Tutoring Services - Online

MOTH (Math Online Tutoring Help)

See GGU4YOU: ggu.edu/moth

OWL (Online Writing Lab)

See GGU4YOU: ggu.edu/owl

Veterans Services

415-442-7288, ext 6 veterans@ggu.edu

Wellness Resources

415-442-6578 wellness@ggu.edu

Office of Enrollment Services

The Office of Enrollment Services includes the following services: admissions process; evaluation of transfer credit; services for international students.

Academic Advising Services

Academic advising and academic services are available to explain the sequence and strategies of an academic program. Advisors can help students select classes in a logical and appropriate order, and help students satisfy requirements without delay or conflict. All new students are required to have their registration approved in advance. For more information about making an appointment or speaking to your advisor visit www.ggu.edu/experience/student-services/academic-advising/ .

International Student Advising

The University Advising Center provides services and programs to students from countries throughout the world. Currently, more than 400 international students attend Golden Gate University during an academic year. The office assists 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.

The University Advising Center counsels students and 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 The University Advising Center to obtain information regarding their rights and responsibilities.

Registration Requirements Prior to Travel

F1 and J1 visa students traveling between terms are required to register for the next semesters’ classes before an international student advisor will approve and sign the students’ form I-20 or DS-2019.

Health Insurance for International Students

Golden Gate University encourages all students with a student or scholar visa to maintain health insurance from the first day that they enroll at the University through their last day of enrollment. Health insurance options for international students are posted on the Golden Gate University website (www.ggu.edu).

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The university administers the CLEP exams to help students achieve their educational and career goals by earning college credit by examination. Additional information regarding CLEP exams is available at Testing Services or at 415-442-6569. You will need your GGU4YOU login and password to access the page.

Office of Student Affairs

The Office of Student Affairs is responsible for many student services, such as orientation for new students, housing resources, disability resources & academic accommodations, commencement ceremony, student life, advocacy services, personal counseling, mediation, judicial and conflict resolution, wellness resources, veteran services and special events. It also oversees the Student Government Association (SGA), student blog (GGU Social), and student clubs and activities. Information regarding student affairs can be obtained on the University website at www.ggu.edu or by contacting the Office of Student Affairs at studentaffairs@ggu.edu or 415-442-7288.

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 Office of Student Life. For a list of currently active clubs and organizations, see the Clubs and Government webpage, or contact the Office of Student Life or the Student Government Association, or check the information listed under “Groups and Clubs” on the GGU App.

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 Bay Area after the spring trimester. For questions regarding the commencement ceremony, call 415-442-7288 or visit the commencement page at http://www.ggu.edu/experience/student-services/special-events/. For questions regarding the graduation requirements and/or diploma and degree status, call 415-442-7278.

Wellness Resources

The University’s Wellness Resources Office helps students incorporate healthy lifestyle choices while they work toward their academic goals. Our programs assist students in using effective wellness tools to enhance their academic success and to balance their educational demands with other important areas of life.

To help students develop and maintain a wellness lifestyle, we host workshops and events and disseminate materials that address physical, social, spiritual, emotional and intellectual dimensions of health and wellness. Activities are hosted throughout the year to support students in increasing their health awareness and achieving their wellness lifestyle goals.

In addition, students may also receive private, confidential counseling services, including confidential assessment and consultation by telephone or in person. Brief face-to-face personal counseling is available on the San Francisco campus. Regardless of where they live, work or attend classes, Wellness Resources also helps students find appropriate off-campus health and psychological resources, including referrals to conventional and holistic practitioners and services. Privacy is always respected and all our records are maintained separately from academic records.

Disability Resources & Academic Accommodations

Golden Gate University, through the Office of Student Affairs, continuously seeks to ensure that its programs and services are fully accessible to all students. Staff 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

Leadership Programs

The Student Government Association and the student blog, GGU Social, both provide scholarships for student leaders. Contact the Office of Student Life for more information.

Orientation Programs

Prior to each trimester, newly admitted students are invited to attend an orientation where they receive information about University services, academic advising and success strategies. All new students are encouraged to attend. New students are also provided with an online orientation that guides students through the services and resources that are available to them at Golden Gate University. This orientation is offered through eLearning and students are sent the information to log in prior to the start of their first term.

Student Activities, Programs and Events

Golden Gate University seeks to develop student activities and events that promote student learning and personal development while being purposeful and reflective of the demographic and developmental nature 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 website at www.ggu.edu/student-resources/student-services/services-and-resources/community/student-government-association/. Up-to-date information about the SGA can also be found on the GGU App.

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. Information about student policies and regulations is contained on the GGU website on the policies page, http://www.ggu.edu/about-ggu-policies/. Students should pay particular attention to the Student Code of Conduct, the Academic Integrity Policy, the Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Title IX Policy as these policies govern appropriate behavior inside and outside the classroom. Questions about university policies pertaining to students should be directed to the Dean of Student Affairs at 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/.

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/

Housing Information

The Office of Student Affairs provides housing information and referrals.

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).

Discrimination and Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Title IX Policy - this policy and process would come into place 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 in regards to discrimination and harassment.

Code of Conduct Violations - If you believe that a fellow student may have violated the student code of conduct, you should report that to the Dean of Student Affairs - deanofstudents@ggu.edu.   

Academic Integrity Violations - 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 Dean of Student Affairs - deanofstudents@ggu.edu.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to:
Business Schools (Tax, Accounting, Ageno, and Undergraduate)
Kayla Krupnick Walsh
Dean of Student Affairs
415-442-7228

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.

California

Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)
Address: 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95833

Telephone: (916) 431-6924
FAX: (916) 263-1897
Website: www.bppe.ca.gov  

Oregon

Higher Education Coordinating Commission
ATTN: Complaints-ODA
255 Capitol St NE
Salem OR 97310

Washington

Washington Student Achievement Council
917 Lakeridge Way SW
Olympia, WA 98502

Office of Career Planning

GGU offers a wide range of free career services to students and alumni. We also work closely with employers to connect them with our diverse and experienced student body. See our webpage for more information: www.ggu.edu/experience/career-services/

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 to clarify career goals, establish career plans and goals, discuss career concerns, and teach the skills necessary to be successful in the job search and build career satisfaction. Individual sessions are available by appointment via GGU Careers. Career services are free for students and alumni.

Career consultants can also support students with identifying their career interests, skills, values and work-style characteristics through self-assessment instruments, including the Strong Interest Inventory, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and StrengthsFinder 2.0. These assessments are available online and in person. A nominal fee is charged for assessments.

GGU Careers - Golden Gate University’s Online Career Portal

Career planning resources and tools are available to all students and alumni and can be accessed anytime at https://ggu-csm.symplicity.com/students. Our virtual career center includes job and internship listings, an events calendar, and access to online resources. New students will automatically be enrolled in GGU Careers during their first term of enrollment. Alumni and current students can also register at any time by visiting the website.

Online Career Resources

Our eLearning course has a wide variety of brief webshops on selected topics. These webshops are accessible 24/7.  Simply login with your eLearning credential and locate our course under the Student Resources section.

Networking Events

The Office of Career Planning sponsors a variety of career events including employer information sessions, panel events, and networking luncheons. Students can log in to their GGU Careers account to learn about and register for upcoming events.

Internships

Career consultants work with students on defining their career goals and identifying internships to meet those goals. While we do not place students in internships, a list of employers who have hired GGU students as interns can be found on GGU4YOU on the Career Planning page.

Learning Support Services

Tutoring is available throughout the academic year on the San Francisco campus from the following departments:

These services are available at no cost to all Golden Gate University students.

The Alumni Association

The mission of the Golden Gate University Alumni Association is to foster beneficial connections among alumni, students and faculty. The Alumni Association Board of Directors works with the Office of Development and Alumni Relations to develop meaningful alumni outreach activities that support the mission of Golden Gate University. Alumni can volunteer on the Alumni Association Board or the Ambassadors Council. Alumni are encouraged to engage online on GGU Connect. To learn more on how you can engage and give back, email us at alumni@ggu.edu.

Association membership is free to any person who holds a degree, diploma or certificate from Golden Gate University, or who has completed 12 or more units and is not currently enrolled. Alumni are encouraged to confirm or update their contact information on their online alumni profile, or by emailing alumni@ggu.edu, so that they may receive the alumni e-newsletter and event invitations.

For more information, visit the alumni website at alumni.ggu.edu/connect or call us at 415-442-7832.

The 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 center is located on the first floor of 536 Mission Street, which also houses the Golden Gate University Bookstore and GGU Café.

The Golden Gate University Bookstore

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. Simply go to www.bkstr.com/goldengatestore/home and follow the instructions for placing an order. When placing an order online, student 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 HUB of 536 Mission Street. For hours of operation and other questions, please call 415-442-7277.

The GGU Café by Follett

The GGU Café is located in the 1st floor 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.

Other Services

Throughout the academic building on the San Francisco campus there is an assortment of vending machines, as well as change and ATM machines. Convenience copiers are located in the libraries.