VCI code of practice

1. VCI is committed to maintaining high standards in the provision of education and training.
2. VCI will ensure that staff are adequately qualified and experienced for their roles.
3. Students will be assessed fairly, objectively and consistently to determine their competency and understanding of the material.
4. Except during vacation periods, the VCI office will respond to inquiries within fourteen days.
5. An appointment is usually necessary to meet with a VCI staff member at an office:
   1. The VCI office in Colorado Springs has variable office hours.
   2. The VCI Inc (Australia) office in Perth is normally open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. local time Monday to Friday except public holidays and during the summer vacation. However, VCI may close the office when all staff have commitments outside the office.

Student code of conduct

1. Students must currently be regular church attendees and active in Christian ministry.
2. Students are expected to demonstrate biblical values in their personal lifestyle that are consistent with the ministry for which they are training, and to conduct themselves in a responsible and professional manner at all times.
3. Graduation requires a satisfactory reference from the pastor, board, or local ministry supervisor.
4. Students have a responsibility to make every effort to maintain satisfactory progress in their courses.
5. Students are expected to arrive before classes commence. If they are running late they should contact the course coordinator as a courtesy.
6. Students are required to refrain from plagiarism and unauthorized collusion in written work.

Fees

1. General
   1. No qualification, transcript or statement of attainment will be issued until full payment has been received.
   2. Fees described in this policy are subject to change.
   
   
2. Fee types

   VCI charges the following kinds of fees:

   1. Application fee. This covers some costs of registering the student and requires the applicant to demonstrate seriousness of intent to do the course.
   2. Coursework tuition fee, charged per unit. It includes assessment.
   3. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment fee for coursework units, charged per unit.
   4. Fees for duplicates of documents.
   5. Project or dissertation fees are incurred by the student upon enrolment, but may be paid in stages if a written agreement is made.
   
   
3. Payment
   1. Upfront payment is required of the application fee, the coursework tuition fee and RPL fees.
   2. Certain conditions apply for the payment in advance for certificate and diploma courses.
   3. Fees paid in advance for degree studies are protected as follows:
      1. A separate General Ledger account is maintained for fees paid in advance
      2. Each payment to this account is separately identifiable by the person’s name
      3. The balance of the account is reconciled monthly to a list of student names
      
      
4. Refunds
   1. Refunds are given where:
      1. The program is cancelled (full refund given, including application fee)
      2. Application for enrolment is refused (full refund given, including application fee)
      3. In VCI Inc (Australia), the student officially notifies the college that they are withdrawing from a particular unit (The application fee is not refunded. The tuition fee is refunded minus the retail price of the workbook.)
   2. Refunds for coursework units are calculated as follows:
      1. Refunds are based on units, not the course as a whole. A student may withdraw from a unit and receive a refund for it, but still continues with other units.
      2. The refund schedule is based on the time length of the unit or units from which the student is withdrawing:
         1. The first quarter of the way through the unit: a full refund is given of the tuition fee for the unit, less the internal list price of any textbooks/workbook provided unless it is returned in as-new condition.
         2. In the second quarter of the unit: half of the fee is refunded
         3. beyond halfway through the unit, no refund is available
         4. For example, if there are 20 sessions in the unit, a student will receive a full refund if they withdraw in the first 5 sessions; if they withdraw between sessions 6 and 10 they will be refunded half the fee; and after that no refund is given.


5. Contact
   A student may contact VCI to discuss their individual circumstances (financial, academic or otherwise) and VCI may provide alternative arrangements, in its sole discretion, on a case-by-case basis.

Privacy policy

1. Students' records are confidential.
2. Students have access to their personal records kept by VCI. They should contact their instructor to initiate access and an appointment may be necessary. The records remain the property of VCI.
3. The privacy of people who come in contact with VCI is safeguarded in accordance with the Ten Privacy Principles of the Australian Privacy Act, summarized below.
   1. Notification. Individuals are made aware that their personal information is being collected, why it is, who it might be passed on to and that they can request access to it.
   2. Use.
      1. VCI collects only personal information that is necessary for VCI’s activities.
      2. VCI uses it only for the purpose it was collected, unless the individual gives permission otherwise
      3. VCI does not pass it on to third parties without the individual's consent.
   3. Data quality. VCI seeks to keep any personal information accurate, complete and up-to-date.
   4. Data security. VCI seeks to protect personal information from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure. It is destroyed or deleted when no longer needed.
   5. Openness. This policy is made available to anyone who asks.
   6. Access and correction. On request, VCI will give an individual access to read, and if necessary to correct, personal information held about them.
   7. Identifiers. VCI does not require individuals to adopt, use or disclose identifiers assigned by government agencies except as required by the government agency.
   8. Anonymity. Members of the public can interact anonymously with VCI whenever it is lawful and practicable to do so.
   9. Transborder data flows. VCI does not transfer personal information to any recipient across national boundaries unless the information will be appropriately protected by law or contract in its destination, or as permitted by law.
   10. Sensitive information. VCI only collects sensitive personal information (such as about their health, political opinions etc.) with their consent.

Graduation requirements

For a qualification or transcript to be issued, the student must:

1. be still enrolled for that qualification
2. not be under suspension or have a suspendable offense in process
3. have satisfactorily completed all academic requirements (e.g. satisfactorily completed assessment, sufficient units, correct selection of units)
4. have paid all debts
5. have satisfactorily completed any other requirements.