Student Policies, Procedures, and Refund Rules

Code of Conduct

Bee CARE Institute recognizes that it takes more than quality education and a commitment to better beekeeping to be successful in accomplishing our mission. We rely on our solid reputation for honesty, fairness, and ethical conduct to attract our students, recruit quality instructors, and retain the high level of the beekeeping community support and respect that we have worked so hard to achieve. Our reputation ultimately rests on the good judgment and personal integrity of everyone – staff, volunteers, students, instructors, and all other individuals and organizations – involved with BCI.

Those associated with BCI in any capacity shall commit themselves to:

• Maintaining the highest standard of personal conduct, avoiding even the perception of improper conduct
• Striving for excellence in all aspects of BCI
• Using only legal and ethical means in all BCI activities, including conducting all activities in a responsible manner
• Maintaining the confidentiality of privileged information entrusted or known to them by virtue of their association with BCI
• Communicating in a truthful and accurate manner
• Limiting paper files and recycling whenever possible to preserve the environment

Code of Civility

To promote a positive, collegial atmosphere among students, faculty, and staff, Bee CARE Institute has developed the following code of civility.

Respect

Treat all students, faculty, and staff with respect and in a professional and courteous manner at all times, whether in person or in written communication (including e-mail).

Kindness

Refrain from using profanities, insults, or other disparaging remarks.

Truth

Endeavor to cite only the truth and not knowingly misrepresent, mischaracterize, or misquote information received from others.

Responsibility

Take responsibility for your own actions instead of blaming others.

Cooperation

Work together with other students, faculty, and staff in a spirit of cooperation toward our common goals of seeking and providing a quality education.

Privacy

Strive to uphold the right to privacy and not talk about others.

Nondiscrimination

Respect the differences in people and their ideas and opinions and reject bigotry.

Academic Integrity

BCI strongly supports the concept of academic integrity and seeks to foster sound moral behavior in its students and faculty. Academic dishonesty can take many forms, including cheating on examinations, plagiarism, helping others to commit dishonest acts, etc., and must never be tolerated. Students engaging in academic dishonesty are subject to serious consequences. Instructors who observe or suspect an incident of academic dishonesty shall bring it to the attention of an appropriate office official immediately, for prompt investigation, review of student policies, and action.

Attendance

Student attendance and class participation play an important role in the education process. For this reason, Bee CARE Institute has adopted the following attendance policy. Less than full attendance and participation in all one, two, and three day classes or workshops, More than a half day absence in four day classes, and more than one absence in six day courses may result in the participant not receiving a certificate of completion for the class, course, or workshop and a grade of Non -Completion will be recorded for the class, course, or workshop.

BCI Grading System

Bee CARE Institute uses a percentage grading system. Percentage grades are awarded as follows:

• 95% -100% Superior
• 90% - 94% Excellent
• 85% - 89% Satisfactory
• 80% - 84% Lowest Passing

NC = Non-completion (is recorded if the participant is absent beyond what is permissible for any given course, or if the participant receives an Incomplete and does not make up the work or if the homework and final exam are completed to less than passing standards.)

I = Incomplete (“I” is recorded if the student is unable to complete the work in a course upon conclusion for legitimate reasons. If the work is not completed within one month of the conclusion of the course, the “I” automatically becomes a non-completion grade.)

P = Passing (reflects any percentage grade above 80%)

W = Withdrawal (Used when written notification is received prior to the conclusion of class. An non-completion grade will be recorded by the BCI office if the student has not withdrawn in writing.)

Protective Equipment Policy

The student is responsible for providing, properly using, and caring for all protective and emergency equipment, apparatuses and substances that they may require as a result of interacting with honeybees. Proper protective equipment will be used by the participants at all times when in close proximity to hives or live bees.

Smoking Policy

There is absolutely no smoking allowed in or around any of the teaching facilities this includes institution buildings, school buildings, halls, classrooms, exits, hives, travel methods. Those who smoke will have to do so in designated areas outside of the building and away from hives and class activities.

Nondiscriminatory Policy

Bee CARE Institute admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the istititue. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and other institute administered programs.

Inclement Weather Policy

In the event of inclement weather, students attending classes held at indoor locations can rely on DC Government closings as a guide for BCI closings. For out-door classes an email and text alert will be posted two hours in advance of the class time. If you are ever in doubt, please text your instructor or the BCI office at 202.813.9691

Student Registration Procedures

Before students choose a course of study, a careful assessment of their talents and interests in light of long-range goals is in order. Students should review the course descriptions to be certain that their course selection is in fact what they are looking for. Students should also make sure that any prerequisites have been satisfied before enrolling in the course. Students should expect homework assignments and should be prepared to take on this additional work load. Students are encouraged to check with BCI staff for guidance in their course selection.

Students must complete a registration form for the course(s) they select. All registration forms must be signed or electronically signed by the student and when applicable.

Registration Deadlines

The registration deadline is 14 days prior to the start of class. Any registrations received after the registration deadline are subject to availability. Bee CARE Institute reserves the right to cancel courses in which enrollments are below an acceptable standard. Courses will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so students should return their registration forms as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Important Reminder: If you have completed the class registration and your tuition payment has been processed, unless you hear otherwise from the BCI office, please consider yourself registered and attend the first class.

Course Prerequisite Requirements

Before you can enroll in certain ourses, the BCI office will seek verification that you have met any prerequisite requirements. BCI staff will review your application before accepting a registration into any course with a prerequisite requirement. If your record does not demonstrate that you have met the requirement, you will be contacted to discuss your options. You must then demonstrate that you have satisfactorily met the course requirements. An exception can be made for this requirement if you can demonstrate that your experience has enabled you to achieve these skills.

Course Withdrawal and Refund and Policies

Bee CARE Institute requires all students who enroll in BCI courses to sign a registration form which states that they have read and understand the BCI withdrawal policy. Students who must withdraw from a BCI course should submit a completed Course Withdrawal Form to the BCI office.

Course Withdrawal and Refund Policy

The registration fee is not refundable and fee amount will be assessed and disclosed separately for each class at the time of registration, no other fee will be charged if a completed Course Withdrawal Form is received at the BCI office prior to the registration deadline. This form may be emailed to the BCI office at: registrar@beecare.institute or submitted online through the completion of the Course Withdrawal Form on Google Docs. In addition to the non-refundable registration fee a fee equal to one half of the tuition will be assessed in the form of a Withdrawal Fee. The Withdrawal Fee applies if a student withdraws after the registration deadline but prior to the first class. A Course Withdrawal Form and the withdrawal fee must be received at the BCI office before the first class. This fee applies to each course withdrawal.

There are not refunds of tuition if a student withdraws after the first class.