Student Policies & Procedures

For the 2007-2008 School year

The policies and procedures of the Preparatory and Continuing Education Division have been established in order to assist students in their studies and apply to all students enrolled in this Division.

I. Attendance

A. A student enrolled in the Preparatory and Continuing Education Division agrees to the following:

• To commit to regular attendance at lessons, classes, rehearsals, concerts and recitals.
• To attend a complete academic year of regular lessons at a time mutually agreed upon with the teacher.
• To pay for all lessons, whether taken or missed. Instructors are not required to make up lessons missed for student absences. Student absences are not refundable.
• To notify the teacher through the CIM voice-mail system of lessons that the student cancels.
• 5. To honor the teacher’s request to forfeit future lessons, if the student has excessive absences. No reimbursement for tuition is granted after the first nine weeks of the semester. See section II. Request To Withdraw.

B. CIM and its faculty members agree to the following:

• To post a message on the studio door, in the event of the teacher’s absence due to an emergency; and when possible, notify the student prior to the lesson.
• To schedule make-up lessons for a teacher’s missed lesson whenever possible. In order to ensure good record keeping, make-ups must be scheduled within the semester of the missed lesson and will not be carried over to the next semester.
• To issue a refund at the end of the semester whenever rescheduling for teacher’s missed lesson(s) is not possible. Refunds must be requested before the close of the semester. No refunds will be given for Summer Session.
• To broadcast notices through the public media (local television and radio stations), the CIM website (www.cim.edu) or by other appropriate means, in the event of any closures due to severe weather conditions or other unforeseen events.
• CIM faculty will make up for official snow closings, if possible, or the Prep Office will credit lesson if requested.

Students may access the CIM voice-mail system at any time by calling 216.795.3170. Messages may be left in the teacher's personal voice mailbox by entering the 3-digit mailbox number. Mailbox numbers may be obtained from the teacher or by calling the voice-mail system and entering 9 to access a directory by the teacher's last name.

II. Request to Withdraw

• A student may withdraw from lessons at the end of the quarter of each semester. The Preparatory office will honor a written request to withdraw if the Operations Manager receives it at least two weeks prior to the end of the quarter.
• A student who withdraws as provided above may receive a refund of prepaid tuition for lessons scheduled for the subsequent quarter provided there are no other outstanding charges for which the billing parties are responsible.

III. Request to Transfer

A student who wishes to transfer from one faculty member to another must consult with the Director of the Preparatory Division, the Director of the program, if applicable, and all faculty affected by the transfer. These consultations must take place prior to the transfer. A complete transfer form must be submitted to the Preparatory Office for the transfer to take effect.

IV. Practice

Students must have their own instrument and practice space. The practice rooms at the Cleveland Institute of Music are for Conservatory student use and are not available to students of the Preparatory and Continuing Education Division for daily practice.

V. Behavior

Students are asked to refrain from running in the hallways and engaging in other loud or disruptive behavior. Please remember that business is being conducted in offices, classrooms are in session, and students are rehearsing throughout the building. At the Main Campus, there is a snack room in the basement where students and parents may meet and socialize.

VI. Notices/Mail Delivery

Each student shall immediately notify the Preparatory Office of any change of address, telephone number, or email address. CIM is not responsible for lost or undeliverable mail, for missed deadlines, or undeliverable notices or account statements.

VII. Tuition Payments

• A student enrolled in lessons through the Preparatory Division shall pay all tuition and fees in full within 30 days of billing date.
• CIM may assess interest monthly at an Annual Percentage Rate of 1.5% on any account balance not paid within 30 days of the invoice.
• Payments, directed to the CIM Cashier (216.791.5000 x223 or in person), may be made by MasterCard, Visa, American Express, check, cash, or money order. There is a charge of $35.00 for all returned checks.
• The lessons of a student whose account is past due may be suspended until the account is made current or paid in full. The teacher will be notified not to give lessons.
• A student whose account has an outstanding balance may not enroll in lessons or classes in a subsequent semester until the account is paid in full.
• 6. Delinquent accounts that have been sent to collections must be rectified and the student/family must pre pay in full for all subsequent lessons prior to the start of term.

VIII. Discrimination Policy

The Cleveland Institute of Music Preparatory and Continuing Education Division does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality, sex, ethnic origin, or religious belief in its admission, student aid, scholarship, or other educational policies.

IX. Privacy Act

Notice is hereby given that the Preparatory and Continuing Education Division of the Cleveland Institute of Music is prepared to comply with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-380) as amended (P.L. 93-568). Students and others who wish specific information regarding their rights of access to institutional education records maintained in their names are advised to contact the Director.

To download a printable version of these policies in .pdf format, please click here.