Student Rights
All Worsham students have the right to be evaluated in the classroom on the basis of satisfactory progress, academic achievement, and fulfillment of educational requirements, with freedom of expression protected and respected. All Worsham students have the right to obtain clear statements of their academic obligations and responsibilities. A student will have the right to appeal through the established college procedures any action brought or taken by the college against the student which can reasonably be expected to affect the student’s status within the college. Students may not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and marital status), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, or, to the extent covered by law, veteran status.
Individuals who believe they have been harassed or discriminated against may file a complaint through the college by speaking with the program director, Leili McMurrough.
Admission of Students with Disabilities
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Worsham College is fully committed to providing educational services to all individuals, regardless of disability. To accommodate individuals with disabilities, it is the policy of Worsham College to:
- Administer educational courses in facilities that are accessible to individuals with disabilities or to make alternative arrangements;
- Make such modifications to its courses and curriculum as necessary to ensure that the places and manners in which the course is given are accessible to individuals with disabilities; and
- Provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services for persons with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills.
Provided, however, that Worsham College will not admit any individual to its program or offer modifications and auxiliary aids to an individual if any of the following conditions apply:
- If the individual poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others;
- If the modifications in the course or the provision of the auxiliary aid or service requested will fundamentally alter the course of study, or result in an undue burden to Worsham College; or
- If the individual cannot meet the basic eligibility criteria set forth below or elsewhere in the admissions policies and requirements of Worsham College.
Disability Accommodation Policy
Worsham is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to all students, including those with disabilities. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Worsham has established the following policy for providing accommodations to students with disabilities:
Notification: It is the responsibility of the student to disclose that they have a disability and request reasonable accommodations as early as possible, preferably before the start of the semester. Students can do so by contacting the Program Director.
Documentation: The student must provide appropriate documentation of their disability from a qualified professional (e.g., medical doctor, psychologist, etc.) to the Program Director. The documentation must establish that the student has a disability and support the requested accommodations.
Reasonable Accommodations: Worsham will provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities, as determined on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the student.
Timeliness: Accommodations will be provided in a timely manner, but the college may need reasonable notice to implement certain accommodations. Students are encouraged to request accommodations as early as possible to allow for adequate time for implementation.
Confidentiality: Information regarding a student’s disability and accommodations will be kept confidential and shared only on a need-to-know basis with college personnel involved in implementing the accommodations.
Ongoing Review: Accommodations may be reviewed and revised as needed to ensure that they continue to be appropriate and effective.
Worsham is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for all students. If a student believes that their accommodation needs have not been met, they are encouraged to contact the Program Director to discuss their concerns.
Minimum Physical Requirements for the Embalming Program
An individual must be physically able, with or without the use of auxiliary aids and services, to perform the disinfection, surgery, suturing, and restoration required in embalming dead human remains in a competent and timely manner. Applicants requiring modifications in courses or the provision of auxiliary aids or services should consult with Worsham College regarding the provisions for those modifications or auxiliary aids or services.
Worsham College may require evidence, in the form of documentation, from a physician or other professional to demonstrate that an applicant requires the modifications or auxiliary aids, or services requested.
In order to successfully complete the Worsham College embalming curriculum component all students must actively participate in at least 10 cases. Should a student not complete 10 cases they will not be eligible to graduate and will have to complete the lab component the next time it is offered.
Active participation means hands-on learning and must include, at a minimum, the following tasks: raising vessels, mixing fluids, injecting fluids, cavity treatment, suturing incisions, and posing features.
A Note to all Female Students
With the increasing number of female embalmers within the profession, a serious exposure problem has been brought to light with several research studies regarding women who are exposed to formaldehyde and other chemicals and the potentially adverse effects on pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and their newborns. This research came to the attention of Worsham College in August 2002, and points to the potential danger of formaldehyde exposure and other solvent-type chemical exposure on pregnant women. Therefore, if you become pregnant prior to, or while you are attending the Embalming/Anatomy Laboratory portion of the curriculum, you have the option of continuing in the Program or making arrangements to take the Embalming/Anatomy Laboratory portion of the program in its entirety at a later date. For your protection and safety, Worsham College suggests that you discuss the potential exposure risk with your health care provider.
Minimum Physical Requirements for the Funeral Directing Program
An individual must be physically able, with or without the use of auxiliary aids and services, to understand and process information received from other persons and to effectively communicate, in a cogent manner, information to third parties.
Applicants requiring modifications in courses or the provisions of auxiliary aids or services should consult with Worsham College regarding the provisions for those modifications or auxiliary aids or services.
Worsham College may require evidence, in the form of documentation, from a physician or other professional to demonstrate that an applicant requires the modifications or auxiliary aids, or services requested.
Policy Against Harassment and Age Discrimination
It is the policy of the College to maintain a learning and working environment that is free from religious, racial, sexual harassment, or age discrimination. The College strictly prohibits any form of religious, racial, sexual harassment or age discrimination.
Harassment or discrimination of any kind, whether based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, race, color, national origin, age, disability, or any other status protected by law, is strictly prohibited. This policy applies to all students, faculty, administrators, third parties on College premises, and other College personnel. Violations include conduct or communication of a sexual nature or any verbal, physical, or electronic behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
The College will act to investigate all complaints, formal or informal, verbal or written, of religious, racial or sexual harassment, or of age discrimination, and to discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, or other College personnel who is found to have violated this policy.
Religious, Racial and Sexual/Gender Harassment and Age Discrimination Defined
Religious Harassment/Bias
Definition. Religious discrimination involves treating a person unfavorably because of their religious beliefs. Religious harassment/bias occurs when:
- Submission to conduct or communications of a religiously derogatory, harassing or biased nature is made a term or condition of obtaining or retaining employment, or of obtaining an education; or
- Submission to or rejection of conduct or communication of a religiously derogatory, harassing, or biased nature by an individual is used as a factor in decisions affecting that individual’s employment or education; or
- The conduct or communication of a religiously derogatory, harassing or biased nature has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s employment or education, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment or educational environment.
Racial Harassment/Bias
Definition. Race discrimination includes discrimination on the basis of ancestry or physical or cultural characteristics associated with a certain race, such as skin color, hair texture or styles, or certain facial features. Racial harassment/bias occurs when:
- Submission to conduct or communication of a racially derogatory, harassing, or biased nature is made a term or condition of obtaining or retaining employment, or of obtaining an education; or
- Submission to or rejection of conduct or communications of a racially derogatory, harassing or biased nature by an individual is used as a factor in decisions affecting that individual’s employment or education; or
- The conduct or communication of a racially derogatory, harassing or biased nature has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s employment or education environment, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment or educational environment or otherwise adversely affects an individual’s employment or academic opportunities.
Sexual/Gender Harassment
Definition. Sexual/Gender harassment includes unwelcome physical or verbal conduct relating to an individual’s gender or directed at an individual because of gender; unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical conduct or other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual or gender biased nature occurs when:
- Submission to that conduct or communication is made a term or condition of obtaining or retaining employment, or of obtaining an education; or
- Submission to or rejection of that conduct or communication by an individual is used as a factor in decisions affecting the individual’s employment or education; or
- The conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of substantially or reasonably interfering with an individual’s employment or education, or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive employment or educational environment.
Age Discrimination/Bias
Definition. Age discrimination involves treating someone less favorably because of their age. It is unlawful to harass a person because of their age. Age discrimination occurs when:
- Submission to conduct or communications of an age discriminatory, harassing, or biased nature is made a term or condition of obtaining or retaining employment, or of obtaining an education; or
- Submission to or rejection of conduct or communication of an age discriminatory, harassing, or biased nature by an individual is used as a factor in decisions affecting that individual’s employment or education; or
- The conduct or communication of an age discriminatory, harassing, or biased nature has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s employment or educational environment.
Reporting Procedures
Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of religious, racial, or sexual harassment or age discrimination by a student, teacher, administrator, third party (present on the premises), or other College personnel, or any person with knowledge or belief of conduct which may constitute religious, racial, or sexual harassment or violence or age discrimination toward a student, teacher, administrator, or other College personnel will report the alleged acts immediately, not to exceed thirty days. The reporting procedures are as follows:
Present the case in person or by telephone to Leili McMurrough, Program Director, or to Jonathan Acosta, Academic Dean, at 847-808-8444. If the report was given verbally the administration shall reduce it to written form within 48 hours. Submission of a good faith complaint or report of religious, racial, sexual harassment, or age discrimination will not affect the complaint or reporter’s future employment grade or work assignments.
Investigation
The College, upon receipt of a report or complaint alleging religious, racial or sexual harassment or age discrimination shall immediately undertake or authorize an investigation. The investigation may consist of personal interviews with the complainant, the individual(s) against whom the complaint was filed, and others who may have knowledge of the alleged incident(s) or circumstances giving rise to the complaint. The investigation may also consist of any other methods and documents deemed pertinent by the investigator or the College administration.
In addition, the College may take immediate steps, at its discretion, to protect the complainant, students, teachers, administrators, or other College personnel pending completion of an investigation of alleged religious, racial or sexual harassment or age discrimination.
In determining whether alleged conduct constitutes a violation of this policy, the College should consider the surrounding circumstances, the nature of the behavior, the relationships between the parties involved and the context in which the alleged incidents occurred. All parties to the complaint of religious, racial or sexual harassment, or age discrimination will be provided with notice of the allegations and an opportunity to present documentary and/or testimonial evidence to the college’s designated investigator(s). Whether a particular action or incident constitutes a violation of this policy requires a determination based on all the facts and surrounding circumstances.
If harassment on the basis of religion, race or sex discrimination is found, the College will take reasonable steps to end the harassment or discrimination, redress the actual problem(s), and reasonably attempt to prevent recurrence.
The administration shall send a written report to the complainant upon completion of the investigation, within 45 days of the complaint. If for some reason 45 days is unreasonable, all parties will be notified, with an explanation for the delay. Within 15 additional days, a total of 60, all parties will be notified of the results of the investigation.
The report shall be maintained for a minimum of three years, and include a detailed description of the alleged act of harassment or age discrimination, and the College’s response, including but not limited to the names of all the parties involved in the alleged incident, any investigatory actions by the College, the College’s findings, and any disciplinary or remedial action taken by the College. If a person found to have committed an act of racial and/or sexual harassment, or age discrimination is not disciplined, the record will contain an explanation as why no disciplinary action was taken.
If the complaint involves a member of the administration (e.g., Jonathan Acosta or Leili McMurrough), it should be filed directly with the Board of Directors who will conduct the investigation as outlined above. To file directly with the Board of Directors, give the Program Director the complaint in a sealed envelope. If the complaint involves the Program Director give the sealed envelope to another member of the administration to be forwarded to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will send a written report to the complainant upon completion of the investigation. The report shall include all items mentioned in the above paragraph.
Reprisal
The College will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, or other College personnel who retaliates against any person who reports alleged religious, racial or sexual harassment, or any person who testifies, assists or participates in any investigation, or who testifies, assists or participates in a proceeding or hearing relating to such harassment or age discrimination. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, any form of intimidation, reprisal, or harassment.
Discipline
The College will take such disciplinary action it deems necessary and appropriate, including warning, suspension, immediate discharge, or expulsion to end discriminatory harassment and prevent its recurrence. Immediate termination from the program may also require forfeiture of fees paid for that semester, and additionally, the individual will remain responsible to pay to the College any fees owed that were not yet paid (see College refund policy).
FERPA Policy
The following constitutes the College’s policy concerning student rights of access to personal educational records in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Certain definitions and principles contained in the law and guidelines are as follows:
- A “student” is defined as one who has attended Worsham College or is attending Worsham College and whose records are in the files of the College. Attendance is defined as the date of the first enrollment at the College.
- “Record” means any information or data recorded in any medium, including, but not limited to, handwriting, print, tapes, computer files, video or audio files, film, microfilm or microfiche.
- “Student Record” means any item of information directly related to an identifiable student, other than directory information, which is maintained by the College or required to be maintained by the College or employee of the College in the performance of their duties.
- “Directory” Information is limited to:
- Name
- Local and home address and telephone
- E-mail address
- Class
- Dates of attendance
- Enrollment status
- Expected graduation date
- Degrees and awards received
- The most recent educational institution attended
- Photograph of the student taken for College purpose
Directory information also includes class rosters listing students in Worsham College courses.
Public information may be released unless the student files the appropriate form with the Director of Student Services or with the Registrar requesting that public information not be released. Public information cannot be restricted by former students.
A student has the right to inspect and review their records, except as listed below. Any reference to student records or to access to student records in this document is subject to these exceptions:
- Confidential letters of recommendation placed in files before January 1, 1975.
- Financial records of the student’s parents or any information contained therein.
- Employment records, except for those cases in which the employment is required as part of the student’s program of study.
- Medical and psychological records.
- Letters of recommendation or other documents that carry a waiver of the student’s right to access.
- Any information in a student’s file regarding other students.
Student education records are open to College officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the information contained in the records.
- A College official is an employee or other agent of the College. A College official may also be a person or company with whom the College has contracted to carry out a function on the College’s behalf.
- The determination of a “legitimate educational interest” will be made by the person responsible for the maintenance of the record. This determination will be made scrupulously and with respect for the individual whose records are involved. “A legitimate educational interest” requires that the individual seeking access is doing so for the purpose of performing a job function.
Normally, records can be released, or access given, to third parties only with the written consent of the student.
Without the consent of the student, releases to third parties generally may be given only as follows:
- To federal officers as prescribed by law.
- As required by state law.
- To research projects on behalf of educational agencies, providing that the agencies guarantee no personal identification of students.
- To accrediting agencies carrying out their functions.
- In response to a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.
- To Police or other law enforcement agencies in the investigation of a specific criminal case.
- To parents of students who are dependents as certified according to IRS standards.
- A student’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) regarding the student’s use or possession of alcohol or controlled substance if it has been determined by the College that the student’s use or possession of alcohol or controlled substance constitutes a violation of a College rule or regulation; and the student is under the age of 21 at the time of disclosure to the parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
- In connection with an emergency, to an appropriate person if the knowledge of such information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other persons.
- To educational agencies or institutions that request records when a student seeks to enroll, or is already enrolled.
Nothing in this policy requires the continued maintenance of any student record.
However, if under the terms of this policy a student has requested access to the record, no destruction of the record shall be made before access has been granted to the student.
FERPA rights cease upon death. However, it is the policy of Worsham College that no records of deceased students be released to third parties after the date of death, unless specifically authorized by the executor of the deceased’s estate or by the next of kin.
Students have the right to ask to have records corrected that they believe are inaccurate, misleading or in violation of their privacy right.
The procedures are as follows:
- The student must ask the custodian of the record to amend the record. The student should identify the part of the record that the student wants changed and the reasons.
- Worsham College may comply or may decide not to comply. If not, the College will inform the student of the decision and advise the student of the right to a hearing. Requests for a hearing are to be sent to the Director of Student Services.
- Upon request, the College will arrange for a hearing within a reasonable time and so notify the student. The hearing will be conducted by a disinterested party. However, the party conducting the hearing may be an official of the institution. The student may be assisted by one other individual.
- The College will prepare a written decision based solely upon the evidence presented at the hearing. The decision will include a summary of the evidence and the reasons for the decision.
- If the College decides that the challenged information is not inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s right to privacy, it will notify the student that he or she has a right to place in the record a statement commenting on the challenged information or setting forth reasons for disagreeing with the decision.
- The statement will be maintained as part of the student’s record as long as the contested portion is maintained. If the College discloses the contested portion of the record, it must also disclose the statement.
- If the College decides that the information is inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the student’s right of privacy, it will amend the record and notify the student in writing that the record has been amended.
A person may file a written complaint with the Department of Education regarding an alleged violation of FERPA.
Address:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-4605
Website: www.ed.gov/offices/OM/fpco/
Health Services
Health services are not provided by the College; however, Northwest Community Hospital’s Immediate Care Facility is located at 15 South McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, 60089, (847) 459-6100. This 24-hour facility is located just minutes from the College. Further, a listing of health-related services available in the metropolitan area is included in the Just Say No Handbook. The College distributes this resource material to all incoming students in compliance with mandates imposed by the Department of Education.
Safety and Security
When on campus, students are asked to immediately report to the administration any incident which may appear to be a violation of College policy or local ordinances or laws. If necessary, the administration will contact the Wheeling Police Department, which is responsible for security and law enforcement in the vicinity of the College.
To ensure personal security, be vigilant as to who is in the building. The occasional visitation from unrecognized or unauthorized visitor(s) must be reported to faculty or staff immediately. Do not approach, question or attempt to engage in any discussion with these individuals.
Updated October 2025