Course Catalog & Handbook

The String Theory School of Design’s (the School of Design) mission is to catalyze creative endeavors through design, technology, and entrepreneurship. Learners engage leading edge creative fields, actively study design thinking processes, and deliberately practice domain-specific techniques. Marketable skills, developed in an environment prioritizing outrageous support, enable student application of authentic creative skills to communicate innovations through multi-faceted storytelling.

The School of Design envisions that its students will graduate with the confidence to engage with creative careers and/or further college and university programs through the authentic application of skills, knowledge, and dispositions that employers and higher education programs seek.

The String Theory School of Design offers the IDeATE Program with quarter credit hours of coursework leading to an Associate of Arts degree. IDeATE elevates content and skills from the fields of Innovation, Design, Arts, Technology, and Entrepreneurship in a cohesive sequence of courses. These courses prioritize examining models of success, practicing techniques, and applying the knowledge and skills to authentic creative work in studios and laboratories. IDeATE brings Design Thinking to life.

The String Theory School of Design’s Seven Strategic Priorities

1. Live our mission in every policy, procedure, and learning experience.
2. Launch, build, and sustain the IDeATE Associate of Arts Program as a model of innovation in higher education.
3. Originate teaching and learning in synergy with and in service of Philadelphia’s innovation economy and creative enterprise across our region.
4. Catalyze creativity and problem solving through Design Thinking and dynamic scholarship that begins with research and prioritizes making.
5. Sustain and grow our start-up program, leveraging entrepreneurial expertise to secure a healthy fiscal outlook and rich resources for the School of Design.
6. Outrageously support students to discover passions and professional purpose.
7. Optimize technology in ways that redefine learning spaces and experiences, nimbly making knowledge and skills accessible and prolific.

The IDeATE program, in alignment with our mission and vision, is dedicated to the following program and student outcomes.
*See the table at the bottom of this section for details

The School of Design is located at 1600 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA. The School of Design is open to students and faculty from 7:30 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday during the school year.

The School of Design does not offer non-credit course options at this time. Non-credit internships are optional benefits for students seeking to apply their learning during the Summer Quarter and do not carry additional tuition or fees.

While the School of Design does not offer fully virtual learning, all students will be one to one with technology as we believe it is vital to our students’ educational experience. 

Once accepted and enrolled, the Dean will assign to each student an academic advisor who, in consultation with the student, will plan a program of study and studio work that aligns with both that student’s individual passions and with the IDeATE program and the String Theory School of Design guidelines. Students will learn about the course progression during the first year, including an understanding of how innovation drives teaching and learning and clear maps of the requirements each student must meet. Advisors engage students in analysis of their own progress and performance at least twice quarterly. In these evaluations, advisors support students in a personalized way to ensure that capstone projects, studio choices, and design shop opportunities align fully with their passions and professional goals.

The String Theory School of Design will house a writing center, functioning as an academic lab, for academic support with tutors available for reading, writing, mathematics, and technology support. Tutors for all subjects are available upon request. Through partnerships with local universities, paid positions will be posted for students needing support in specific areas. Turnaround is determined by availability. 

The School of Design policy prohibits the illegal possession, use, or sale of drugs or other controlled substances on its property. Where appropriate or necessary, the School of Design will fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies. In addition, alcoholic beverages are not to be sold, served, used or possessed in any of the facilities of the School.

Smoking, including the use of nicotine-delivery systems, is, without exception, prohibited in every School of Design building or facility.

Anyone who wishes to smoke must do so outside of the School of Design facility. Smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of any entrance, exit or loading dock, or as posted otherwise. Smoking is also prohibited on adjacent stairways, ramps or landings leading to any entrance, exit or loading dock.

The School of Design is a publicly funded institution. However, School of Design buildings and facilities are provided for use exclusively by students, faculty, staff and the administration, and only for the educational purposes of the School of Design. No individual or company may solicit or sell on campus for personal gain.

Selling or soliciting for charitable, political, social, religious or other causes by nonstudents is prohibited on School of Design property. Distribution of literature (handbills, tracts, leaflets, etc.) by outside agents for external agencies is also prohibited on School of Design property. 

Information regarding the Crime Act (commonly referred to as the Clery Act) is available from the Administration.

Throughout this Course Catalog, every effort has been made to use inclusive language which does not discriminate with regard to gender. 

Review Process:

1. To offer opportunity to qualified design students, regardless of academic history, portfolios are first reviewed independently from other application academic documents. Portfolios are reviewed by at least two faculty and scored high – medium – low. This data is then considered with the rest of the application documents.
2. The portfolio is a design project. How the applicant chooses to format, present, label, and sequence the work is considered in the portfolio evaluation.
3. The portfolio is both reflective and projective. It presents an applicant’s growth to date, their current ability levels, and their development capacity into a professional designer and/or entrepreneur.

Contents: 

1. The portfolio should demonstrate breadth, depth, and growth over time. Strong portfolios present a range of media types and subject matter. Strong portfolios present a particular focus of interest within that range. The admissions committee recommends chronological sequencing of the work.

2. The portfolio should present an applicant’s capacity to see and think spatially, to ideate, to think critically, to problem solve, and to offer a view of how the world might be, rather than is.

3. Include the following: 10-15 unique project work products. 

• Static Images: A maximum of 3 images per project.
• Video: Maximum length 60 seconds per project.

4. Portfolio content may include, but is not limited to: animation, architecture/interior design, fashion design, graphic design, industrial design, observational drawing (still life, portrait, landscape), painting, photography, product design, sculpture, sketching, short films/video.

5. Drawings should be based on observed subjects, not photographs.

6. Design project presentations should focus on the process rather than the final product. Include sketches, drawings, prototypes, study models, and final models.

Descriptions:

1. Portfolio artifacts must be original work created by the applicant. If the work is the product of a team or group effort, the applicant’s role and contribution must be clearly defined in the descriptive caption. 

2. Each artifact image must include a descriptive caption including the following information: project title, date of completion (month/year), medium, approximate dimensions (static work) and/or length (video).

1. Upon receipt of complete application documents, candidates will be issued a link to a secure Google Drive folder. All portfolio items should be placed into this folder by the stipulated deadline. 

2. Label each file as follows: itemnumber.applicantlastname.applicantyearofbirth.subject.

For example: 01.einstein.1879.sketches, 02.einstein.1879.models, etc.

3. Please confirm that all files are common file types with the proper extensions, ie. .jpeg, .pdf, .mov, etc.

If we can not open the file, your portfolio work will not be reviewed.

4. Alternate: Physical portfolios may be submitted in lieu of digital portfolios. Please contact the admissions office for the submission process. Physical portfolio dimensions should not exceed 11” x 17” x 2”.

The IDeATE Program’s rolling admissions process allows applications to be reviewed year-round. 

Applicants will be notified by letter or email of the admissions decision within one month of receipt of all required admissions materials.

Students attending area high schools participating in high school dual-enrollment programs that have an agreement with the String Theory School of Design may register for courses in the IDeATE Program. Dual-enrollment students must complete an abbreviated admissions process facilitated by their high school’s college counseling office before registering.

Open houses are a great way to experience our creative environment and unique approach to learning. These one-day events are scheduled periodically and give prospective students the opportunity to talk with Deans, faculty, and current students. Contact the admissions office or visit the website to inquire about the next open house. 

One quarter credit in a class is equivalent to 1 hour of class time per week for 10 weeks. At the School of Design, an academic year consists of three 10-week quarters, with an average of about 15 quarter credits per quarter for full time enrollment. Students must also successfully complete (with an evaluation of a 3 or above on all aligned competencies) all appropriate degree requirements in sequence and consistently achieve and maintain appropriate academic standards. All credit-bearing courses completed at the School of Design will show on the student’s final transcript. 

This policy applies to all faculty members, students, professional staff, trustees, officers and other members of the School community. This policy also applies to visitors, volunteers, non- employee associates and third parties doing business or providing services to the School, including vendors, independent contractors, and consultants.

All students and employees of the String Theory School of Design are responsible for their actions and behavior as it relates to the School and each other, whether the conduct in question occurs on campus, in the surrounding community, or in another location. As such, this policy applies to all prohibited conduct that affects the School’s educational environment and community wherever it occurs, including on campus, off campus, and online.

The School of Design does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, status as a veteran, and any other characteristic prohibited by law (i.e., creed, marital status, citizenship status) in its educational, extracurricular, athletic, or other programs or in the context of employment. 

The School of Design is committed to protecting the privacy interests of all individuals involved in a report of discrimination or harassment. In any report, investigation, or resolution of an allegation made under this Policy, every effort will be made to protect the privacy interests of the individuals involved in a manner consistent with the need for a thorough review of the allegation and the protection of any individual or the broader campus community. 

All resolution proceedings are conducted in compliance with the requirements of FERPA, the Clery Act, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act, and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, String Theory School of Design policy, and all applicable federal, state and local laws. No information shall be released from such proceedings except as required or permitted by law or by this policy.

Students may exercise the right of freedom of expression through speech, assembly, petition, and other lawful means and have the right to advocate change of any law, policy, or regulation. The exercise of this right may neither interfere with the rights of others, nor may oral or written student opinions be used to present material that falls into one or more of the following categories:

• Materials that reasonably lead the School to forecast substantial disruption or interfere with school activities or that endangers the health or safety of students;
• Material that is libelous or slanderous statements that are inaccurate or false and that injure the person as to his/her reputation, cause personal humiliation, mental anguish and suffering, or other injuries;
• Material that advocates the commission of a criminal act or is a criminal act, as defined by the Criminal Code of the United States, Pennsylvania, or the City of Philadelphia; and/or
• Material that is obscene as defined by Pennsylvania law

Students may exercise the right of freedom of expression through speech, assembly, petition, and other lawful means and have the right to advocate change of any law, policy, or regulation. The exercise of this right may neither interfere with the rights of others, nor may oral or written student opinions be used to present material that falls into one or more of the following categories:

• Materials that reasonably lead the School to forecast substantial disruption or interfere with school activities or that endangers the health or safety of students;
• Material that is libelous or slanderous statements that are inaccurate or false and that injure the person as to his/her reputation, cause personal humiliation, mental anguish and suffering, or other injuries;
• Material that advocates the commission of a criminal act or is a criminal act, as defined by the Criminal Code of the United States, Pennsylvania, or the City of Philadelphia; and/or
• Material that is obscene as defined by Pennsylvania law

The School of Design prohibits discrimination, harassment, and bias incidents. 

Bias Incident:
Bias incidents include conduct or behavior (verbal, nonverbal, or written) that is threatening, harassing, bullying, discriminatory, and is based on a person’s identity or affiliation such as race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, status as a veteran, or any other characteristics prohibited by law (i.e., creed, marital status, citizenship status, etc.).

All bias incidents will be evaluated under this Policy to determine whether they constitute discrimination and/or harassment.

In addition, by its very nature, bias will be deemed an aggravating circumstance to any violation of School policies, including the Student Code of Conduct, regardless of the category. In those circumstances, bias-related violations may result in a more serious action up to, and including, permanent separation from the School of Design.

Examples of Bias Incidents: defacement of posters or signs, intimidating, or harassing comments or messages, vandalism to personal or School property, or similar acts, if there is evidence that the target or victim was chosen because of a factor such as race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, status as a veteran, socioeconomic status and/or any characteristics prohibited by law (i.e., creed, marital status, citizenship status, etc.).

Discrimination:
Discrimination is conduct that is based upon factors such as race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, status as a veteran, or any other characteristics prohibited by law (i.e., creed, marital status, citizenship status, etc.) and that:

• adversely affects a term or condition of an individual’s employment, education, living environment or participation in a college activity; or
• is used as the basis for or a factor in decisions affecting that individual’s employment, education, living environment or participation in a college activity.

Harassment:
Harassment is unwelcome verbal, written, electronic, or physical conduct when that conduct is:

• based on a Protected Category as defined here; and
• such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, humiliating, demeaning, or offensive working, academic or social environment. The effect will be evaluated based on the perspective of a reasonable person in the position of the Complainant.

Even a single or isolated incident may create a hostile environment if the incident is sufficiently severe. The more severe the conduct, the less need there is to show a repetitive series of incidents to prove a hostile environment, particularly if the harassment is physical.

Forms of Harassment: In some cases, harassment is obvious and may involve an overt action, a threat or reprisal. In other instances, harassment is subtle and indirect, with a coercive aspect that is unstated.

Harassment can take many forms:

• It can occur between equals (e.g., student to student, professional staff to professional staff, faculty member to faculty member, visitor/contracted employee to professional staff) or between persons of differing power status (e.g. supervisor to subordinate, faculty member to student, coach to student-athlete).
• It can be committed by an individual or may be a result of the collective actions of an organization or group.
• It can be committed against an individual, an organization or a group.

Examples of behavior that may create a hostile environment and will be considered as evidence of discrimination or harassment include, but are not limited to:

• Unwanted or inappropriate innuendo, or suggestive comments, humor and jokes, racial slurs or derogatory language directed at another person’s race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, status as a veteran, socioeconomic status and/or any characteristic prohibited by law (i.e., creed, marital status, citizenship status); 
• insults and threats based on a Protected Category and other verbal, written or electronic communications of a discriminatory nature that an individual communicates is unwanted and unwelcome
• Non-academic display or circulation of written materials or pictures degrading to an individual(s) or group’s Protected Category. 
• Making educational or employment decisions based upon stereotypes about individuals based upon race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, status as a veteran, socioeconomic status and/or any characteristic prohibited by law (e.g., creed, marital status, citizenship status) (For example, no one should be assumed to be able or required to act as a representative for their culture or faith).
• Abusive, disruptive or harassing behavior (verbal or physical), which endangers another’s mental or physical health, including but not limited to threats, acts of violence, or assault based on a Protected Category and/or in the context of a hate crime; and,
• Engaging in derogatory verbal and other expressive behavior of a racial, cultural or religious nature in instructional settings.

Hate Crime:
A hate crime is generally defined in federal and state statutes as a criminal offense committed against a person or property that is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender’s bias against the victim’s identity or group affiliation. See Ethnic Intimidation Act (Act 154 of 1982, 18 Pa. C.S. §2710).

Preponderance of the Evidence is the standard for determining whether a violation of this policy has occurred and means that more than 50% of the evidence supports the finding. A Preponderance of the Evidence is equivalent to “more likely than not.”

Retaliation:
Retaliation is defined as acts or attempts to retaliate or seek retribution against the Complainant, Respondent, or any individual or group of individuals involved in a report, investigation and/or resolution of an allegation of discrimination, harassment or bias Incident. Retaliation can be committed by any individual or group of individuals, not just a Respondent or Complainant. Retaliation may include continued abuse, violence, or other forms of harassment. 

The String Theory School of Design promotes a physically safe and inclusive environment where violence in any form is not tolerated. Accordingly, responding to violence with violence is also a violation of this policy, unless such violence is a direct response of self-defense.

Refund Policy

The School of Design has established a tuition refund policy that allows a refund of tuition and fees when a student withdraws from the college or from a course(s). The refund is a credit to the student’s account and may result in adjustments to financial aid. If a credit balance is created on a student account, the credit balance will be refunded.

Effective Date of Withdrawal         Refund Amount

Before First Day of Quarter                100%

First Calendar Week                             100%

Second Calendar Week                        75%

Third Calendar Week                            50%

Fourth Calendar Week                          25%

Fifth Calendar Week                             None

For the purposes of calculating satisfactory progress, withdrawals made within the refund period will not count toward the calculation of progress when the student has not begun attendance in the course.

Students who do not maintain satisfactory course completion and/or master credit proficiency will:

1. Be put on full-time academic probation. Students on academic probation of any kind must meet with a counselor before registering for any term.
2. When the student has met the minimum cumulative completion rate and the mastery credit proficiency requirements, he/she will be removed from academic probation.

Students who do not complete coursework aligned to graduation competencies or receive a mastery course grade lower than 2.0 must take the course again. All courses in the program sequence are required for graduation. 

Students who withdraw from a course are refunded tuition according to the published schedule of withdrawal refunds in concert with our academic calendar and must take the course again. All courses in the program sequence are required for graduation. 

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, requires all colleges and universities to develop and enforce standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress prior to awarding any federal financial aid funds to students. The standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) were established to encourage students to successfully complete courses for which federal financial aid is received, and to progress satisfactorily toward degree completion. The SAP standards apply to federal financial aid programs, including Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work-Study, Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans. The SAP standards are separate from, and in addition to, academic standards required by the College for continued enrollment.

The criteria used to determine SAP are mastery credit proficiency, cumulative completion rate (or pace), and maximum time frame for completion of educational objectives. At the end of each term, the Dean of Students reviews students’ academic progress. All periods of enrollment are reviewed, including semesters during which no financial aid was received.

Students must earn a cumulative mastery level of 3.0 or higher on program mastery credits to meet the qualitative requirement for SAP in the IDeATE Program. This recognizes that students who receive a mastery course grade of 2.0 or higher may progress in the program, but will be required to evidence mastery of those mastery credits not-yet-met before graduation within the appropriate completion rate. 

All students must complete and pass at least 75% of credit hours attempted. A student’s completion rate is calculated by dividing hours earned by hours attempted. The minimum completion percentage required by the SAP policy changes according to the number of credit hours the student has attempted.

A key student organization at the School is the Experience Design Student Team (XD STeam). All students enrolled at the School of Design are members of XD STeam and eligible to vote on all initiatives and decisions impacting students. Officers, elected annually by the members, lead the XD STeam in creating an innovative, engaging, and fun student experience, and support the creation and implementation of clubs and activity opportunities aligned to the unique interests of the students in each cohort with faculty support. 

The purpose of the Student Government Association is to foster leadership skills, develop positive relationships amongst students, organize social and service activities for members, and encourage student-faculty cooperation. All students enrolled at the String Theory School of Design are members of the SGA and will be eligible to vote on matters presented to the student body. Officers, elected annually by the members, lead the organization to fulfill its objectives. 

The School publishes a Design eMagazine, which provides students who enjoy both writing and designing the opportunity to demonstrate their talents, and provide informational, inspiring, and entertaining content for their community. The magazine, developed by a student editor and his or her faculty advisor, is available online.

Annually, the String Theory School of Design will hold an Innovation Expo in between the Winter and Spring quarters. This public networking event will highlight innovations in the Philadelphia Innovation District. IDeATE students will prepare for this experience and use the opportunity to discover passions, synergies, and prospects for future career engagement.

Because the quarter credit system is compacted, IDeATE students who take initiative and opt in have the opportunity to use their summer quarter to engage in a full-time (30-hour) innovation industry internship spanning a total of at least 20 days and offering participants the opportunity to engage in practical work experience. The internship can be in a wide variety of fields connected to Design, Technology, and Entrepreneurship, enabling students to choose a field which best suits their passions and career interests. The String Theory School of Design will work to connect students to internship opportunities that most closely align with their talents and skillsets, creating potential for future employment upon graduation.

The String Theory School of Design’s approach to career counseling is integrated fully into the program experience and is amplified by key partnerships and structures. These partnerships and structures will grow over time to become an innovation pipeline for Philadelphia’s Innovation Economy. Because the program itself functions as a Design Shop for local industry and service initiatives, and because of partnerships with local universities through the Philadelphia Learning Collaborative, students encounter networking and career experience daily and amass a body of work to inform the college and career search process.

The String Theory School of Design is committed to providing and maintaining a positive and pleasant environment conducive to learning and working for all members of the community. Occasions may arise when members of the school community disagree, or when unanticipated problems may surface, for which resolution and grievance procedures of the School should be followed, so that such matters may be handled in a reasonable, fair, expeditious and professional manner.

At all steps of the grievance and resolution process, no less than fair, frank and respectful treatment is expected.

Most issues can be resolved informally by direct discussion with the involved party. If a concern is with a student’s assignments or performance in a particular course, the student is encouraged to contact the teacher directly to discuss the concern.

In the event that any student wishes to skip informal resolution, or feels that it did not produce satisfactory results, a formal process is available. Formal grievance and resolution may be sought if the Student feels that the rules of the School have been improperly applied or interpreted, or that staff applied unfair practices. No person will be retaliated against or penalized for making a complaint.

Step 1: Complaints should be presented in writing to the student’s Dean of Students (signed and dated) as soon as practicable after the incident or cause of the complaint. Within three (3) working days, the student will meet with the Dean of Students to discuss the problem. The student will be allowed to present any information, documents or witnesses for consideration as part of this conference and investigation. All information pertaining to this conference and investigation will remain confidential. A written response from the Dean of Students will be sent to the student within three (3) working days of the conference, summarizing the outcome of the investigation and corrective or remedial action, if any.

Step 2: Unresolved complaints should be submitted to the President of the School, who is the designated ombudsman of the School’s Board of Trustees. The President will review the complaint, the Dean of Students’s response, the information presented as part of the investigation, and will meet with individuals involved as necessary. The President will make a written decision in five (5) business days, summarizing the outcome of the review and any required corrective or remedial action.

Step 3: Upon notice to the President, further appeal may be made to the Board of Trustees of the School, with submission to the Board President the original complaint and responses of the Dean of Students and President. A Grievance Committee, appointed by the Board of Trustees, will review the complaint, responses of the Dean of Students and President, information presented as part of the investigation, and will meet with individuals involved if necessary. The Committee will make a recommendation in ten (10) business days to the Board to consider and vote upon the matter. The decision of the Board of Trustees is final.

Students may address any grievances to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, should they feel their concern was not handled in a satisfactory manner at the school level.

School of Design does not assume responsibility for loss of or damage to students’ personal property, including belongings left in classrooms, studios, or exhibitions. At the close of each quarter, students are required to remove from studios all valued artwork. Artwork not not picked up by the last day of classes in any spring quarter will be discarded. 

The School of Design will exercise reasonable care of students’ personal property but cannot be responsible for theft, loss, or damage. Students are expected to protect the equipment and possessions of the School, other students, and all employees. Theft, vandalism, and property damage should be reported to the Dean of Students. Theft, vandalism, and damage to property to and/or loss of School of Design property by students is grounds for expulsion from School of Design. 

The School of Design reserves the right to use student artwork and classwork for reproduction in digital or video programs, for exhibits, admissions recruitment, accreditation assessment, or any other form of electronic or printed media prepared in support of the School’s Mission and Statement of Educational Goals and Outcomes. This also includes work by former students and alumni produced during their career at School of Design. Students will be notified by the School of Design to submit works requested by such use, and completion of that use, will be notified as to where and when they can retrieve their work. The School of Design reserves the right to permanently retain artwork submitted for course credit. 

Violations of academic integrity can include, but are not limited to, cheating and plagiarism. Cheating is an intentional effort at deception or gaining an unfair advantage in completing academic work. Plagiarism is the act of appropriating the work of another person and passing it off as one’s own. Any student who assists another in an activity that constitutes a violation of academic integrity is also responsible and accountable for such a violation.

The following list is not exhaustive, but includes some common examples of plagiarism and cheating:

• copying original ideas, images, words, or design elements and using them without proper citation or permission of the author
• creating a bibliography with fabricated sources or citing sources as references that were not used in the preparation of the report or essay
• deceiving the instructor to get more time for an assignment or examination
• hiring someone to write an essay or complete other assignments
• collaborating with classmates or others on an assignment when the class rules explain that only individual work is permitted
• using unauthorized electronic devices or software during an examination
• allowing other students to copy exam responses or homework assignment answers so that they can pass it off as their own work

Violations of academic integrity will open a studther on or off college premises, is judged unsatisfactory.

Since the String Theory School of Design is an academic community, its fundamental purpose is the pursuit of knowledge. Essential to the success of this educational mission is a commitment to the principles of academic integrity. Every member of the String Theory School of Design community is responsible for upholding the highest standards of honesty at all times. Students, as members of the community, are also responsible for adhering to the principles and spirit of the following Code of Academic Integrity.

Activities that have the effect or intention of interfering with education, pursuit of knowledge, or fair evaluation of a student’s performance are prohibited. Examples of such activities include but are not limited to the following definitions*:

Cheating: using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance, material, or study aids in examinations or other academic work or preventing, or attempting to prevent, another from using authorized assistance, material, or study aids.
Example: using a cheat sheet in a quiz or exam, altering a graded exam and resubmitting it for a better grade, etc.

Plagiarism: using the ideas, data, or language of another without specific or proper acknowledgment.
Example: copying another person’s paper, article, or computer work and submitting it for an assignment, cloning someone else’s ideas without attribution, failing to use quotation marks where appropriate, etc.

Fabrication: submitting contrived or altered information in any academic exercise.
Example: making up data for an experiment, fudging data, citing nonexistent articles, contriving sources, etc.

Multiple submission: submitting, without prior permission, any work submitted to fulfill another academic requirement.

Misrepresentation of academic records: misrepresenting or tampering with or attempting to tamper with any portion of a student’s transcripts or academic record, either before or after coming to the college.
Example: forging a change of grade slip, tampering with computer records, falsifying academic information on one’s resume, etc.

Facilitating academic dishonesty: knowingly helping or attempting to help another violate any provision of the Code.
Example: working together on a take-home exam, etc.

Unfair advantage: attempting to gain unauthorized advantage over fellow students in an academic exercise.
Example: gaining or providing unauthorized access to examination materials, obstructing or interfering with another student’s efforts in an academic exercise, lying about a need for an extension for an exam or paper, continuing to write even when time is up during an exam, destroying or keeping library materials for one’s own use, etc.

* If a student is unsure whether their action(s) constitute a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity, then it is that student’s responsibility to consult with the instructor to clarify any ambiguities.

Faculty 

• It is the responsibility of faculty to know and execute School of Design policies regarding academic integrity in a fair and diligent manner.
• It is the responsibility of faculty to inform students of class expectations and assessment guidelines in a timely manner.
• It is the right of faculty to work within the School of Design in an environment of discernible, structured guidelines of due process concerning matters of academic integrity.
• It is the right and responsibility of faculty to participate in a fair and equitable process concerning any allegations of violations of academic integrity.

Students 

• It is the responsibility of students to familiarize themselves with School of Design and class policies regarding academic integrity, and to seek clarification if needed.
• It is the responsibility of students to comply with the School of Design and class policies regarding academic integrity.
• It is the right of students to be informed of any alleged violations and possible sanctions concerning academic integrity.
• It is the right of students to receive due process concerning alleged violations of academic integrity, including an appeal process. 

Violations of academic integrity can include, but are not limited to, cheating and plagiarism. Cheating is an intentional effort at deception or gaining an unfair advantage in completing academic work. Plagiarism is the act of appropriating the work of another person and passing it off as one’s own. Any student who assists another in an activity that constitutes a violation of academic integrity is also responsible and accountable for such a violation.

The following list is not exhaustive, but includes some common examples of plagiarism and cheating:

• copying original ideas, images, words, or design elements and using them without proper citation or permission of the author
• creating a bibliography with fabricated sources or citing sources as references that were not used in the preparation of the report or essay
• deceiving the instructor to get more time for an assignment or examination
• hiring someone to write an essay or complete other assignments
• collaborating with classmates or others on an assignment when the class rules explain that only individual work is permitted
• using unauthorized electronic devices or software during an examination
• allowing other students to copy exam responses or homework assignment answers so that they can pass it off as their own work

Violations of academic integrity will open a student to disciplinary action.

The School of Design students are subject to appropriate rules of proper conduct. The School of Design reserves the right to suspend or dismiss a student whose attendance, academic performance, or conduct, whether on or off college premises, is judged unsatisfactory.

It is the policy of the School of Design that each student shall be guaranteed the following rights and freedoms; enumeration of the rights or registration at the School shall in no manner be construed to nullify or limit any other constitutional or legal rights or freedoms possessed by students as citizens or residents of the United States or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: 

1. The right to participate freely in School of Design-sponsored services and activities consistent with the School’s Policy on Discrimination; that is, without discrimination based on any classifications that deprive the person of consideration as an individual.
2. The right to be evaluated in the classroom solely on the basis of academic achievement and fulfillment of educational requirements.
3. Consistent with federal and state laws, the general right of protection from the release of non-directory information to persons outside the String Theory School of Design community of academic, organizational, and disciplinary records without the express consent of the student or a court order.
4. The right of protection from the placement of non-School of Design financial obligations on the student’s School of Design account without the express consent of the student.
5. The right to be free from disciplinary action by the School of Design for misconduct except under reasonable rules which have as their substantive basis the protection of some clear and distinct interest of the String Theory School of Design as an academic institution.
6. The right to due process in any action brought or taken by the School of Design against the student which can reasonably be expected to affect the student’s status with the School or any of its constituent parts or agencies.
7. The right to protection from ex post facto regulations.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The String Theory School of Design collects information about students for the express purpose of fulfilling the educational mission, and retains student records for designated periods of time. The String Theory School of Design recognizes its obligation to inform students of the existence of these records, of policies regarding its secure handling and proper use, and of the students’ rights under both policy and law. This policy describes how student information is collected at String Theory School of Design, how that information might be used by the String Theory School of Design, and how individual students can request changes to the way their personal information is used or shared.

EXPECTATIONS OF PRIVACY and DIRECTORY INFORMATION
The String Theory School of Design recognizes the privacy concerns of students, and has instituted policies and processes to secure information collected from students. For the purpose of this policy, a student is defined as an individual currently or previously enrolled in an academicy Information to include: a student’s name; address; mailbox number; phone number(s); date and place of birth; name of parent or guardian (if applicable); name of spouse (if applicable); class level; dates of attendance; degrees and awards received; the most recently attended educational institution; and, participation in sports and in offering of. Note that records originating at another institution will also be subject to these policies.

These records may include personally identifiable information (“PII”) provided by the student, such as information related to racial or ethnic origin, religious or other beliefs, health, biometrics, or criminal background. Such sensitive information is subject to special controls described below.

Information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed is known as “Directory Information.” The String Theory School of Design. For newly admitted students, this policy becomes effective when the student has been admitted and their informf the student. Each student has the right to limit the access of off campus parties, excluding government agencies in certain situations, to information that would normally be released in the Student Directory. Students who wish to exercise this right may do so by making the request to the Registrar, using their String Theory School of Design email account.

Notification of Rights under the FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 34 CFR § 99) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution at any age.)

These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day String Theory School of Design receives a request for access. A student should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic departm, o,r of directly and substantially impeding the lawful activities of other members ofare defined as objectives that are essential to the general process of higher education prescribed by the body of policy adopted by the governing board. In addition, String Theory School of Design recognizes that certain co-curricular activities that are generally supportive of overall goals of the institution and contribute generally to the well-being of the entire student body and specifically to many individuals who participate in these activities may constitute legitimate educational interests. Access to certain limited student other appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the school official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation has been entered into the Student Information System. Information included in the application becomes a part of the appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the school official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
3. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation has been entered into the Student Information System. Information included in the application becomes a part of the student”ss education records may be granted to officials who support such programs and activities, subject to strict oversight policy.
4. Upon request, the college also discloses education records without consent to officials of another institution in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer. In addition, String Theory School of Design may return records to the apparent creator of those records in order to verify authenticity.
5. Authorized representatives of federal and state government, such as agency officials requesting information in connection with the audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity of federally supported education programs, or in connection with the enforcement of federal and state legal requirements that relate to such programs. Except when collection of personally identifiable data is specifically authorized by federal and state law, any data collected and reported with respect to an individual student shall not include information (including Social Security number) that would permit the personal identification of such student. 
6. In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid. 
7. Information that will not permit the individual identification of students may be released to organizations of educational agencies or institutions conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the school, in order to: (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction. Similarly, information may be released to accrediting organizations in order to carry out their accrediting functions.
8. To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes.
9. To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena pursuant to a judicial, legislative, or administrative proceeding. 
10. To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency. On an emergency basis, information about a student that is, in String Theory School of Design’s judgment, necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or others may be released by a designated officer of the college to any person whose knowledge of the situation is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or others. 
11. To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense (subject to the requirements of § 99.39). The disclosure may only include the final results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding. Information concerning registered sex offenders may be released in a manner consistent with federal and state regulations. 
12. To the general public, the final results of a disciplinary proceeding (subject to the requirements of § 99.39), if the school determines the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense and the student has committed a violation of the school’s rules or policies with respect to the allegation made against him or her. 
13. To parents of a student regarding the student’s violation of any Federal, State, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the school, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the school determines the student committed a disciplinary violation and the student is under the age of 21. 

Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the student, FERPA regulations require String Theory School of Design to record the disclosure. Eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures.

The String Theory School of Design may disclose PII from students’ education records, without obtaining prior written consent of the student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in the FERPA regulations (see 34 CFR § 99.31, and following).

The String Theory School of Design may disclose PII from the education records in the following circumstances:

1. Institutional officials whom the String Theory School of Design has determined to have legitimate educational interests may receive student records pertinent to their professional responsibility. An official includes a person employed by the String Theory School of Design in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee.
2. Provided that the conditions listed in the FERPA regulations are met, officials also may include contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom String Theory School of Design has contracted institutional services or functions for which the school would otherwise use its own employees, and who is under the direct control of the String Theory School of Design is committed to protecting its community members from the risk of physical harm and preserving the integrity of its learning environment. Separation of a student from the School and its facilities may be necessary if there is evidence that the student is engaging, has engaged in, or threatens to engage in, behavior that either poses a danger of harm to self or others, or disrupts the learning environment of others.This policy is meant to be invoked in circumstances when a student is unable or unwilling to request a voluntary leave of absence, and such a leave may be necessary to protect the safety of that student and/or others or the integrity of the School’s learning environment. In addition, an involuntary leave process may be initiated if it is determined that there is a significant risk that the student will harm themself, and the risk cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level through reasonable and realistic accommodations and/or on-campus supports.
3. Before an involuntary leave is considered, efforts will be made to encourage the student to take a voluntary leave, thus preserving, to the extent possible, confidentiality and privacy. A readmission process may still be required of a student electing a voluntary leave to determine their readiness to return to school. However, if deemed necessary and appropriate, involuntary leave procedures will be implemented. Once a student has been placed on involuntary leave from the School, they must follow all readmission procedures for an involuntary leave of absence in order to be reinstated. Additionally, financial obligations are not waived by such withdrawals.
4. This policy will not be used in lieu of disciplinary actions to address violations of the Student Code of Conduct, nor does it preclude the removal or dismissal of students from the College as a result of violations of other rules, policies or regulations.

Placing a Student on Involuntary Leave of Absence
Any student who is currently enrolled at the String Theory School of Design may be placed on an involuntary leave of absence from the School and withdrawn from all courses on an interim basis following the commission of one or more of the following acts:

• Engages, or threatens to engage, in behavior which poses imminent danger of causing substantial harm to self or others, and/or
• Engages, or threatens to engage, in behavior which would cause significant property damage, and/or
• Engages, or threatens to engage, in behavior which would directly and substantially impede the lawful activities of others, and/or
• Engages in behavior that negatively impacts the emotional and/or physical welfare of any member of the School community, and/or
• Exhibits behavior that interferes with a student’s ability to function in an academic environment or seriously interferes with the educational pursuits of others, and/or
• Commits a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and lacks the capacity to comprehend and participate in the School’s disciplinary process.

Procedure
The Office of the Dean of Students may be alerted to a student’s behavior through submission of a formal report to the Dean of Students, as well as from a variety of other sources on campus including faculty, staff and other students. The Office of the Dean of Students will forward the case to the School of Design Administration for review according to the following procedure:

1. If an involuntary leave is recommended based on the information provided, the Dean of Students’ designee will notify the student that an involuntary leave of absence is under consideration.
2. The Dean of Students’ designee reserves the right to immediately suspend a student from the College on an interim basis, pending an investigation and subsequent hearing, if the student appears to constitute a threat of harm to himself/herself, others or the College community. The student will be notified in writing if this action is necessary.
3. The student will be given the opportunity to appear personally before the Dean of Students’ designee within 48 hours from the effective date of the notification to discuss the following issues:
4. The reliability of the information concerning the student’s behavior; and/or
5. Whether or not the student’s behavior poses a significant danger of causing imminent physical harm to the student or others, or of directly and substantially impeding the lawful activities of other members ofare defined as objectives that are essential to the general process of higher education prescribed by the body of policy adopted by the governing board. In addition, String Theory School of Design recognizes that certain co-curricular activities that are generally supportive of overall goals of the institution and contribute generally to the well-being of the entire student body and specifically to many individuals who participate in these activities may constitute legitimate educational interests. Access to certain limited student education records may be granted to officials who support such programs and activities, subject to strict oversight policy.
6. Request an amendment to the record
7. Request a hearing with the President and Registrar (if the amendment request is denied) to challenge the contents of the education record on the grounds that the record is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the rights of the student
8. Upon request, the college also discloses education records without consent to officials of another institution in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer. In addition, String Theory School of Design may return records to the apparent creator of those records in order to verify authenticity.
9. Authorized representatives of federal and state government, such as agency officials requesting information in connection with the audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity of federally supported education programs, or in connection with the enforcement of federal and state legal requirements that relate to such programs. Except when collection of personally identifiable data is specifically authorized by federal and state law, any data collected and reported with respect to an individual student shall not include information (including Social Security number) that would permit the personal identification of such student. 
10. In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the campus community.
11. The Dean of Students’ designee will discuss with the student the implications of and procedures relating to an involuntary leave of absence. A copy of this policy will be provided to the student. At any point in this process and when appropriate, the Dean of Students’ designee will encourage tmonitor for illegal downloading and/or redistribution of protected material, and will fully cooperate with law enforcement regarding such activities. Offenders will be subject, o legal prosecution and/or appropriate disciplinary action from School of Design. Individual Responsibility 
    School of Design is not responsible for lost information or work for any reason. Each student is responsible for ensuring that their work is safeguarded. School of Design strongly recommends that assignments and work be stored in multiple locations such as laptop, external hard drive, etc., and that these devices be kept secure. Student files stored on the School of Design network may be deleted after the end of each quarter. 

Security and Privacy
Passwords are to be usivery of the School of Design Administration decision, the student may request, in writing, that the Vice President review the decision. The student shall state in writing the specific points he/she wishes the Vice President to consider. Within five business days of receiving the appeal, the Vice Prlicable copyright laws. Software may not be copied for use on another computer, whether at school or at home, and illegally copied software may not be brought onto campus. Only software approved by and/or acquired through School of Design is authorized for use on school networks and computers. The School of Design does not tolerate illegal downloading or sharing of copyrighted materials, including but not limited to music, pictures, videos, and literature. School of Desidenwill itudent of the decision in writing, which will be final. The Vice President may:

• Affirm the decision;
• Send the matter back to the School of Design administration for further consideration;
• Affirm the decision, but modify the disposition; or
• Reinstate the student.

Notification
The School of Design reserves the right to notify a student’s designated emergency contact, if on record at the School, that an involuntary leave of absence has been issued. The student’s designated emergency contact may be asked to make arrangements for safe removal of the student from the college environment. The School may notify a student’s designated emergency contact if the student poses a threat of harm to himself/herself or others.

Process for Returning from an Involuntary Leave of Absence
After the period of time for an involuntary leave of absence has expired, a student may request to return to the School. To do so, the student must submit a letter to the Dean of Students requesting to return. In addition, the student must have a community mental health clinician/service provider complete an evaluation for seeking reentry. Both documents must be submitted before a review can occur. Once all materials are received, the Dean of Students will make a determination regarding the student’s ability to return. The Dean of Students will communicate the results to the student in writing.electronic resources to communicate confidential or sensitive information. Unauthorized local or remote access to any of School of Design’s systems will not be tolerated. Any such intrusion will be considered trespassing, and offenders will be subject to legal prosecution and School of Design disciplinary action. Students may be asked to sign an acknowledgment of the school’s Acceptable Use policies. Violators of this policy shall be subject to discipline up to and including dismissal from School of Design. 

Unofficial transcripts are available to current String Theory School of Design students free of charge. Most students access them directly through their Academia account, without making a request from our office. If you need support or have questions, please contact our Program Manager/Registrar at  info@stringtheorydesign.org 

This policy complies with the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law of 1957 and the federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. School of Design collects and retains information about students for certain periods of time. The School recognizes the privacy rights of individuals to exert control over what information may be disclosed, and at the same time, balances that right with the School’s need for information. Student information considered part of the public record (directory information) includes name, address (local and permanent), telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, student activities, dates of attendance, awards received, date of graduation, enrollment status, credit load, and most recent educational institution attended.

Students who do not want this information made public must notify the Registrar.

A student has the right to: 

• Inspect and review their own education record
• Request an amendment to the record
• Request a hearing with the President and Registrar (if the amendment request is denied) to challenge the contents of the education record on the grounds that the record is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the rights of the student

The String Theory School of Design will comply with applicable copyright laws. Software may not be copied for use on another computer, whether at school or at home, and illegally copied software may not be brought onto campus. Only software approved by and/or acquired through School of Design is authorized for use on school networks and computers. The School of Design does not tolerate illegal downloading or sharing of copyrighted materials, including but not limited to music, pictures, videos, and literature. School of Design will monitor for illegal downloading and/or redistribution of protected material, and will fully cooperate with law enforcement regarding such activities. Offenders will be subject to legal prosecution and/or appropriate disciplinary action from School of Design. 

School of Design is not responsible for lost information or work for any reason. Each student is responsible for ensuring that their work is safeguarded. School of Design strongly recommends that assignments and work be stored in multiple locations such as laptop, external hard drive, etc., and that these devices be kept secure. Student files stored on the School of Design network may be deleted after the end of each quarter. 

Passwords are to be used by individuals to provide restricted access to personal information. Changes to system access must be requested through the IT department. Passwords may not be shared in order to prevent unauthorized access. You may not use another person’s password or access other people’s accounts or information. School of Design cannot guarantee the confidentiality of its computer, internet, and electronic resources; thus, users should exercise caution in employing School of Design electronic resources to communicate confidential or sensitive information. Unauthorized local or remote access to any of School of Design’s systems will not be tolerated. Any such intrusion will be considered trespassing, and offenders will be subject to legal prosecution and School of Design disciplinary action. Students may be asked to sign an acknowledgment of the school’s Acceptable Use policies. Violators of this policy shall be subject to discipline up to and including dismissal from School of Design. 

If the fire alarm should sound, students should proceed to the nearest exit, close all doors behind them, and leave the building utilizing previously provided escape routes. The elevators should not be used to exit the building. After leaving the building, students should verify that their classmates have all left. All occupants must leave the building if the fire alarm sounds. No person is allowed to return to the building until the fire department has declared the area safe. In the event that it is not possible to re-enter the building, students should await communication from the Administration concerning the status of the situation.

In the event of snowstorms, dismissals, delays, and cancellation of school events will be communicated by the Administration via email and other program-wide information systems.

In the event of an earthquake or tornado, if indoors, please remain indoors. Stay away from windows and glass. Door frames may be warped by moving walls and jam shut, and glass may shatter. Evacuate the building immediately after the ground stops shaking, or in the event of a building collapse, follow fire evacuation guidelines. Account for all students if possible. Avoid all power, telephone, and overhead lines. Do not smoke and do not re-enter the building until emergency authorities give clearance. The following definition of terms apply:

• Tornado Watch (or Severe Weather Warning): Severe weather conditions, which could possibly produce tornadoes. A Tornado Watch or Severe Weather Warning generally covers a large geographic area.
• Tornado Warning: Very severe weather conditions that have produced an actual tornado or a funnel cloud, which, if it touches the ground, becomes a tornado. A Tornado Warning is usually for a specific area and more localized than a Tornado Watch. 

The campus security staff monitors reports of severe weather and will issue a School-wide announcement only if the area around the college is an imminent threat. 

Bomb threats are usually made by telephone, note, or letter. All bomb threats are taken seriously and handled as if there may be an explosive in the building. If you find or receive a bomb threat, follow these steps:

1. Ask questions: Where is the bomb? When is it going to detonate? What does it look like? Permit the caller to say as much as possible without interruption.
2. Take notes on everything said and on your observations about background noise, voice characteristics, etc.
3. Keep the caller on the line as long as possible.
4. After the call, discreetly notify the President, the Dean of Students, or your professor. In the event no one can be reached, call 9-1-1.

Any person who observes an unauthorized visitor on the premises should contact building security. All visitors must wear identification indicating that they have permission to be in the building. In the event that an intruder or violent act is observed, faculty and staff should proceed with safety measures. 

If it becomes necessary to “shelter in place,” essential supplies have been compiled and will be provided. 

In the event of an emergency (including weather related events) School of Design will communicate with the community to provide accurate information for every person’s general safety and security. The School may use any of the following messages to communicate campus-related information:

• Email
• Text/SMS to cell phones
• School of Design website
• External media outlets, as deemed necessary 

Email is the primary method of communication for most warnings that may be significant but do not require immediate action. Emergency notifications will be delivered through Alertus, and may be sent via text/SMS messaging. Emergency notifications are required for incidents that necessitate immediate action on the part of the recipient. Each member of the School will be enrolled in the emergency alert system at the beginning of each quarter. School of Design requires that everyone verify their information each quarter to ensure accurate delivery of notifications.

School of Design is not responsible for personal injury occurring on the School’s property or in connection with School of Design-related activities.

If a student on School of Design property is rendered unconscious or otherwise unable to participate fully in decisions about emergency medical attention, institutional procedure is as follows:

• Never move anyone who has been injured in a fall or who is unconscious or exhibiting unresponsive behavior
• Call 911. Ask for an ambulance or the Police. Request transfer of the injured person to the emergency room
• Once the 911 operator assures you that help is on the way, return to the emergency situation and stay there until the ambulance arrives
• As soon as possible within this process, notify one of the following administrative personnel of the emergency (in this order): President, Dean of Students, Dean of School of Design, Vice President.

Costs arising from all emergency medical attention initiated by School of Design on behalf of an injured or ill student will subsequently be the responsibility of the ill or injured student or their family. Students should be aware that School of Design does not provide students with medical insurance.

All students, faculty, and staff are issued ID cards with an access tag that allows access to the building during regular business hours. Students, faculty, and staff are required to have their ID cards with them whenever they are in the building. A lost ID card should immediately be reported to the Program Coordinator so that the lost card can be deactivated and a new card can be issued. 

Several SEPTA bus routes serve the area around String TheoryS School. The most convenient routes are:

• Routes 4 and 16: These routes stop at 16th and Vine, right near the college entrance.
• Routes 32 and 33: These routes run along 15th Street, just one block away, providing additional options for students.

Please check the SEPTA website or app for the latest schedules and route information.

String Theory School provides secure bike parking on the 8th floor. Vine Street and 16th Street both have bike lanes that make cycling to school safe and convenient.

For those who do not own a bike, the Indego Bike Share program is an excellent alternative. There is an Indego station located at 15th and Callowhill, just a few blocks from the school. Bikes can be rented on an as-needed basis, and passes are available for frequent riders. You can check bike availability and docking station locations through the Indego app.

The Center on Disability (COD) is committed to supporting students with health, mental health, physical, learning, attention, or sensory disabilities. Our services are designed to help you succeed academically by providing the following:

• Academic Accommodations: We determine appropriate academic accommodations tailored to your classes.
• Resource Connections: We connect you to both campus and community resources that support your educational goals.
• Assistive Technology: We introduce you to assistive technology that can help you effectively manage your coursework.
• Faculty Communication: We facilitate communication between you and your faculty regarding your specific learning needs.
• Goal-Oriented Activities: We develop activities that align with and support your educational and personal goals.

To receive support from the COD, you must provide documentation that establishes your eligibility for the requested accommodations. Appropriate documentation should include:

• Relevance and Timeliness: Information that is current and pertinent to the College setting.
• Professional Documentation: A typed report or letter prepared and signed by a licensed professional qualified to diagnose or treat the condition for which you are seeking services.
• Detailed Information: A clear diagnosis, along with the nature and impact of the disability within an educational environment.
• Suggested Accommodations: Recommended accommodations, including a rationale for how they might benefit you in your academic endeavors.

To ensure timely services, it is recommended that you submit your documentation to the COD at least six weeks before the start of the semester. Please send your documentation to info@stringtheorydesign.org

For more information, please contact us by phone at (445) 204-6884.

Students enrolled in the above program are expected to follow all regulations designated in each of the sections above in the catalog.

Ent130E1
Entrepreneurial Teams (3 credits)
Organizations are multi-faceted. One of the biggest reasons why startups fail is due to ineffective communication within a team or, simply, the wrong team. Teams are composed of individuals fulfilling different roles in close collaboration. To be successful, business leaders must create strong teams and understand their role within that team composition. In this course, students learn personal strengths, weaknesses, and preferences as they participate on a sequence of team projects with rotating team compositions.

Ent130E2
Fundamentals of New Ventures (3 credits)
This course explores the fundamentals of startup culture and essential practices that make up the entrepreneurial mindset. This includes, but is not limited to, concepts of fast failure, risk taking, flexibility, creative problem solving, the innovation ecosystem and ideation. Major frameworks include understanding what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur and how to improve soft skills applicable to startup culture and effective innovation. 

Ent145E3*
Contemporary Social Problems / Social Entrepreneurship (4.5 credits)*
What are contemporary cultures’ challenges? How might empathy better ground innovations to address those challenges? Students explore, examine, and analyze case studies of complex contemporary social problems as a basis for creating and sustaining new ventures with social value. Students conduct original research, build a deep context for a specific social topic of interest, and implement that knowledge to develop a solution plan for effective deployment.

Ent220E5
Brand Strategy (2 credits)
You have a product, how do you build the brand? This course examines each phase of a brand making strategy, including marketing campaigns, brand identity, and brand pitches to both investors and consumers. Students will develop a hypothetical brand, from idea to marketing campaign, with routine critiques from field practitioners.

Ent220E6
Fail Forward (2 credits)
Most venture backed start-ups fail. Creating a safe environment to fail fast, early, and often, then repeat is a key practice for an agile methodology of entrepreneurship. Fail Forward is a writing intensive course. Students examine case studies of business failures to analyze statistics of failure and determine missed opportunities for success. This course encourages students to “fail fast”, learn quickly, identify overlooked risks, determine the next effort, mitigate conflicts, and pivot to try again.

Ent230E4
Startup School (3 credits)
This course explores the necessary steps to develop, validate, and scale a unique product, service, or initiative. It begins with ideation, pitching an idea, and prioritizing time, then proceeds into setting pathway goals and providing deliverables. Students will experience the process of realizing a novel idea and/or approaches to defining and solving a societal or market need.

Bus230I6 (3 credits)
Business Building
What are the dos and don’ts of starting new ventures? This course proceeds from product ideation, to pitch formation, to business planning, to funding acquisition, to business launching and into business management. The objective of this course is to provide students with all of the basic knowledge each will need to launch a new venture. 

Bus245I4*
Business Ethics (4.5 Credits)*
Organizations have learned that the costs of unethical actions can be high. Consequences include legal ramifications, adverse brand images and tarnished corporate reputations. This course addresses business ethics through frameworks of moral dilemma in the context of business practice. Eminent philosophers and notable leaders of business start-ups are studied to establish foundations of grounded ethics while students examine how organizations can establish and build ethical cultures.

Tech130T1
Tech Stack – Introduction to Technologies and Applications (3 credits)
Introduction to Technologies and Applications will introduce students to the most essential and useful technologies and applications on the market. Its content spans from web technologies such as the Adobe Creative Cloud to applications supporting design production such as the Autodesk suite. The course prepares and equips students with critical knowledge of current market offerings, their applications, and how to implement appropriate technologies in the students’ problem solving pursuits.

Tech130T2
Fabrication I / Analog (3 credits)
Fabrication has two parts: experimental research and applied research. This course, the first of two in fabrication, specifically works through analog methods. A series of inquiries explore latent material properties, potential transformations and their capacity to lead – or mislead – our material understanding. Building on this research, artifacts are then made toward specific thematic and functional purposes. The artifacts investigate the technical, aesthetic and situational performances of materials, their combined purposes, and their cumulative effects. Three themes guide the research and its subsequent application: finish, form and fit.

Tech130T3
Fabrication II / Hybrid (3 credits)
Fabrication has two parts: experimental research and applied research. This course, the second of two in fabrication, builds upon analog understandings to investigate digital and hybrid methods of making. Specific inquiries explore relationships between material and tools; prototyping; the benefits and limitations of analog, digital, and hybrid methods of production; material sciences; and material behaviors. Through these inquiries artifacts are made toward specific thematic and functional purposes which investigate technical, aesthetic and situational performances of materials, their combined purposes, and their cumulative effects.

Tech220T4
Social Media Studio – (2 Credits)
How do the world’s most innovative companies use social media to engage with customers, brand their business, and network with others. Designing and prototyping customer experiences for mobile devices will help ensure that user experiences are seamless on any device. Students will leverage content from Jason McDonald’s Social Media Marketing Workbook 2021 to develop omnichannel journeys ranging from brick and mortar to mobile device experiences.

Eng145C1*
Illuminate: English Composition and Visual Storytelling (4.5 Credits)*
Students will analyze, synthesize, evaluate, summarize, paraphrase, and cite written, spoken, and visual texts created by thought leaders in innovative design fields. They will leverage this systematic study to write effective expository prose and argumentation which stresses development and support of a clear thesis. This course helps students synthesize what they hear, read, and see, and gives them the tools to effectively communicate their resonance with and responses to the expertise and ideas they encounter. This prepares them for future academic and professional written communication. This course uses Nancy Duarte’s book Illuminate as an anchor text on visual storytelling. The book’s premise connects writing to design and creativity. It helps writers create a strong connection with audiences and leads to purposeful action.

Eng245I4*
Resonate: Public Speaking and Storytelling (4.5 credits)*
Speaking with clarity, confidence, and precision is an essential skill to advance innovative ideas. This course helps students build confidence in preparing and delivering informative and persuasive speeches in service of compelling audiences and illuminating ideas. Topics include selection of content, audience analysis, research, organization, and use of voice and body in speech delivery. This course uses Nancy Duarte’s and Patti Sanchez’s book Resonate as an anchor text. The book helps students use the power of effective communication to lead people through the five stages of transformation using speeches, stories, ceremonies, and symbols.

Math145DeA2*
Quantification for Design through Foundations of Mathematics (4.5 credits)*
Design practices apply geometric and algebraic concepts and processes in order to accurately quantify physical properties around a given design problem. Measurement, survey, scaled representation, and the interrelationships of various drawing projection systems serve as frameworks for the application of these foundations in mathematics. Key applications of this work to the Design, Technology and Entrepreneurship context include analysis, measurement, descriptive geometry, coding, and drafting. (Foundations of Mathematics: Applied Geometry / Algebra)

Math245C4*
Elementary Statistics for Entrepreneurship (4.5 credits)*
Understanding the application of data is an essential tool to the success of creative ventures.This course in elementary statistics builds that skill set by having students experiment with such topics as: descriptive measures for empirical data, theory of probability, probability distributions, sampling distributions of statistics from large and small samples, estimation theory, hypothesis testing, correlation, and regression. Students then explicitly connect this knowledge and practice to both case studies in design and entrepreneurship, and to their own design project work.

Math245C5*
MicroEconomics (4.5 credits)*
Focusing on the impact of economics on Design, Technology, and Entrepreneurship initiatives, students study basic economic principles with particular emphasis upon microeconomic theory and problems. Among topics considered are the economics of the design shop and/or technology start up firm, the price system, resource allocation, the distribution of income, domestic economic problems, international trade, economic development, and comparative economic systems. Specific projects will emphasize the role of innovation in the microeconomic landscape.

Sci145C2*
Physics (4.5 credits)*
Design leverages the unique physical properties of matter to fashion our world. This laboratory course provides a non-calculus study of the fundamental laws and properties of matter, mechanics, heat, and sound. This course places emphasis on how we measure and manipulate matter in order to leverage mathematical solutions to design problems based on an understanding of the underlying physical phenomena.

Sci145C3*
Human Anatomy & Physiology – Design for the Human Form (4.5 Credits)*
An essential key to understanding design for human use is founded in critical knowledge of the human body. This informs designers to achieve success in everything from designing ergonomic products to successfully engaging the senses.This course takes a visual reasoning approach to the study of the human body and the basic structure of cells, tissues, and organs. Topics include the structure and function of the integumentary, muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems, and this knowledge is built systematically through modeling and visual representation.