Assignment 2 Lasa 2 Final Project: Legal Or Policy Issues

Assignment 2 Lasa 2 Final Project Legal Or Policy Issues In A Posts

Read the following scenario and create contingency plans. You are the new chief executive officer (CEO) of a deeply troubled postsecondary institution. You enter your first board meeting during your second week on the job, and the board of trustees reveals a large number of concerns and evidence to support them: A letter written by the vice president of academic affairs that lists sanctions for faculty and students who criticize the institution or staff in the student newspaper, classrooms, and electronic forums such as blogs and Facebook.

An applicant's letter that states that the admissions office has refused to accept her because she came to her admissions interview wearing a headscarf and refused to remove it when interviewed. An anonymous letter from an admissions counselor stating that he has been told to inform applicants that "this institution does not support students with learning disabilities." A report on the number of admission exceptions submitted by the admissions office last semester in which the director of admissions waived entry requirements. More than 90% of all students who are accepted to the institution fall in the exceptions category. The registrar's report waiving graduation requirements for 75% of those at this year's commencement.

One board member's signed statement that contends he heard the registrar boast of sharing student athletes' grades with recruiters who come to the campus "to give our boys an edge." A three-month-old grade appeal that includes a student complaint stating that a faculty member had made unwanted sexual advances and threatened to lower her grades if she did not comply with the demands. The student reported the incident to the dean of student affairs, who told her to "just say no." The student did so and earned an "F" in the course. No action has been taken on the grade appeal or the student complaint. A letter from the federal government citing the institution for noncompliance on financial aid reporting because the reports are routinely late.

A report from student affairs that reveals that students have been caught using technology to bully others at the institution into doing what they want. No action has been taken, and no one seems to know who should review the incident. Furthermore, you have noticed during your first week that stair treads and handrails are loose in many buildings and that broken light fixtures and burned-out bulbs have not been replaced in hallways and parking lots. The board members are terribly worried about their own liability and have asked you to make it right. The chair of the board specifically asks that you create a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation for the next meeting to: Prioritize the issues in order of their level of legal and financial implications and provide a convincing rationale for the order of priority. Choose the top three or four issues and present a convincing argument for the policies and procedures that need to be put in place to address them, with a rationale supported by law. Outline the legal and financial implications of what might happen should the practices continue to take place. Explain how you will create a more democratic and empowering environment that promotes understanding and respect for diversity. Describe what needs to be done to establish ethical practices and to enhance the institution's ability to provide a safe and productive environment. To ensure that you remember everything you want to say to the board, include detailed reader's notes. To help the board understand the legal and ethical issues, cite and explain the legal cases and laws that need to be addressed and include appropriate APA references and internal citations.

Paper For Above instruction

Assuming the role of a new chief executive officer (CEO) of a troubled postsecondary institution, it is paramount to develop comprehensive contingency plans addressing a series of pressing legal and policy issues illuminated by recent findings and staff reports. These issues span critical areas such as free speech, civil rights, campus safety, academic integrity, and compliance with federal regulations. Prioritizing these concerns based on their potential legal and financial implications allows for systematic remedial actions aimed at safeguarding the institution’s reputation, financial stability, and equitable environment.

The highest priority must be the allegations of discriminatory practices, specifically the refusal to admit a student based on religious attire and the statement from an admissions counselor that implicitly denies support for students with learning disabilities. Such practices violate federal civil rights laws, notably Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or religion (U.S. Department of Justice, 2022). Refusing to accept a student because of her headscarf contravenes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which safeguards individual religious expressions (Siegel, 2018). These legal violations pose significant risks of costly lawsuits, federal sanctions, and loss of federal funding, thus necessitating immediate policy overhaul and staff training on compliance with civil rights laws.

Secondly, negligent failure to address faculty misconduct and campus safety issues presents serious liability concerns. The case of a student alleging sexual harassment by a faculty member, coupled with the absence of action by administration, exposes the institution to potential tort liability under premises liability doctrines and negligent supervision laws (Miller, 2020). Similarly, the unsafe physical environment, characterized by loose stair treads and broken fixtures, elevates the risk of injury, increasing vulnerability to litigation for negligence. Implementing rigorous safety audits, establishing clear reporting protocols, and enforcing policies aligned with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards are essential steps to mitigate these risks (OSHA, 2020).

The third priority involves compliance issues with federal financial aid reporting, evidenced by the citation for noncompliance on financial reports. Under the Higher Education Act (HEA) and regulations enforced by the Department of Education (DOE), timely and accurate reporting is mandatory; failure results in financial penalties and loss of eligibility for federal aid (U.S. Department of Education, 2021). Addressing systemic administrative lapses through robust internal controls, staff training, and audits will be critical to restoring compliance and ensuring continued access to essential funding.

Other issues, while important, carry comparatively lower immediate legal risks but nonetheless require strategic attention. For example, the mishandling of grade appeals involving alleged sexual harassment and the use of technology to bully students pose challenges under Title IX regulations (O'Neill & Grinnell, 2019). Addressing these concerns comprehensively by establishing clear grievance procedures and preventive measures fostering a respectful campus climate can prevent escalation into legal disputes.

To cultivate a more democratic and respectful environment, it is vital to develop policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This includes mandatory cultural competence training for faculty and staff, the creation of student-led diversity committees, and open forums for dialogue (Johnson, 2020). These measures help build awareness, understanding, and respect—fundamental components of an ethical academic community.

Furthermore, establishing ethical practices involves implementing transparent procedures for reporting misconduct, protecting whistleblowers, and ensuring accountability at all levels. Regular ethics training, clear codes of conduct, and strong leadership commitment reinforce ethical standards (Ferrell et al., 2019). Such initiatives foster trust and cooperation among students, faculty, and administrators, thus enhancing the institution’s capacity to provide a safe, productive environment.

In conclusion, addressing these prioritized issues through targeted policies, legal awareness, and an emphasis on ethical and inclusive practices will position the institution to mitigate liability risks, meet regulatory requirements, and foster a positive, respectful campus environment conducive to learning and growth.

References

• Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2019). Business Ethics: Ethical Decision-Making & Cases (12th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Miller, R. L. (2020). Negligence and Campus Safety in Higher Education. Journal of College and University Law, 46(2), 221-245.
• O'Neill, S., & Grinnell, T. (2019). Title IX and Campus Sexual Harassment: Policies and Challenges. Higher Education Policy Journal, 33(4), 567-583.
• OSHA. (2020). Managing Safety on Campus. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. https://www.osha.gov/hazards/campus-safety
• Siegel, R. (2018). Religious Freedom and Higher Education. Journal of Law & Religion, 34(1), 129-154.
• U.S. Department of Education. (2021). Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund: Compliance and Reporting. https://www.ed.gov/policy/highered/regula/legislation/hea#full
• U.S. Department of Justice. (2022). Civil Rights and Education: Protecting Student Rights. https://www.justice.gov/crt/education