Residential Class Policies

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Campus Visitor Policy 

To support a safe and academically focused environment, Sofia University maintains the following visitor policy for the Palo Alto and Costa Mesa campuses. 

During periods in which residential classes are in session for the MBA, DBA, and MSCS departments, visitors are strongly encouraged to remain off-site. This policy helps preserve the integrity of the residential learning environment and supports the safety and privacy of students, faculty, and staff. 

Campus-Specific Guidelines 

Visitor regulations may vary between campuses. Visitors are responsible for reviewing and adhering to the specific guidelines of each location. For the most current visitor information, please contact: student.services@sofia.edu 

These guidelines may include designated visitor areas, approved hours, visitor sign-in procedures, and safety protocols. 

Expectations of Conduct 

All visitors to either campus are expected to: 

  • Comply with institutional policies and applicable local laws; 

  • Respect the privacy and academic integrity of students and faculty; 

  • Follow directions from university staff and campus facility personnel. 

Limited exceptions to this policy may be granted for registered guests, invited speakers, or specific university-sponsored activities. Requests must be submitted in advance to the Office of Student Services at the respective campus. 

Contact Information 

For questions regarding the visitor policy or to inquire about exceptions, please contact: 
Office of Student Services – student.services@sofia.edu 

 

Minor policy for Residential Courses - Institute of Professional Studies  
 

Sofia University strives to provide a supportive and effective learning environment. As such, students must refrain from bringing children to campus. Beyond safety concerns, a child’s presence has the potential to disrupt instruction. 

Students may only bring a minor to campus on an emergency basis when alternative arrangements are impractical or impossible, such as the unexpected loss of a childcare provider. The student must notify their Program Chair and Instructor as soon as they are aware of an emergency childcare situation. The Program Chair and Instructor will provide guidance to the student on a case-by-case basis.  
  
F-1 Visa students must be mindful of residential class requirements. Sofia University and its International Student Office are committed to closely following F-1 regulations, which includes in-person class attendance during residential courses.  

 

Service Dog Policy 


At Sofia University, we encourage students to advocate for the support they need. Service Animals provide critical support for individuals with disabilities to access their education. Please help us ensure the safest environment for everyone by ONLY bringing Trained Service Animals registered with Student Services to campus. Bringing an untrained dog on campus can jeopardize someone's access to their education. We appreciate your support in creating an inclusive environment accessible to everyone. 

Service dogs, specifically trained to perform tasks to support individuals with a diagnosed disability, are permitted to attend class with their handlers. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is defined as "a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person's disability." 

When it is not obvious what service the dog provides, college officials may ask only two questions: 

  1. Is the service dog required because of a disability? 

  1. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? 

Students must request an accommodation with Student Services and register their service animal before attending in-person sessions.  

The student is responsible for:  

  • Registering their service dog with Student Services before bringing the dog on campus; 

  • Having a current dog license; 

  • Having a rabies vaccination certificate for dog license; 

  • Keeping the dog clean and pest-free; 

  • Keeping the service dog on a harness or a leash unless the student is unable because of a disability to use a harness or leash, or the use of a harness or leash would interfere with the service animal's performance of work or tasks; 

  • Any harm or injury caused by the animal to other students, staff, visitors, and/or property. 

  • Ensuring the dog is wearing an identifiable uniform. 

A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove the service dog from the premises unless: 

  1. The dog is behaving in a disruptive manner by barking, growling, whimpering, running around, or soliciting social attention through behavior; or 

  1. The dog is not housebroken or clean; or 

  1. The presence of the dog poses a direct threat to the health or safety of other persons that cannot be eliminated by a modification of policies, practices, or procedures, or by the provision of auxiliary aids or services 

If faculty/staff has any of the above 3 concerns, they may request that the service dog (not the student) be removed from class. Refer the student to Student Services for further guidance. Faculty/staff should contact student.services@sofia.edu directly for support. 
 

The Difference between a Service Animal and an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) 

SERVICE ANIMAL 

A Service Animal is an animal that is individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities, including physical, intellectual, sensory, or psychiatric disabilities. Service Animals are dogs or miniature horses only. Service Animals are fully protected under the ADA as working animals and are not pets. 

The work or tasks performed by a service dog must be directly related to the disability. Examples of such work include: 

  • Guiding people who are blind  

  • Alerting people who are deaf 

  • Reminding a person to take prescribed medication 

  • Alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure 

  • Pulling a wheelchair 

  • Alerting a person when blood glucose levels are low 

The work or task must be active, not passive. The effects of an animal's presence and providing emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks.  

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL 

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that provides comfort or alleviates at least one symptom related to a psychological disability. ESAs are not trained to perform tasks and are not limited to dogs. Emotional Support Animals are not permitted on campus or in the classroom at this time. 

What is the difference between an Emotional Support Animal and a Psychiatric Service Dog? 

A Psychiatric Service Dog is specifically trained to perform tasks to alleviate symptoms of a psychological disability, such as PTSD. An Emotional Support Animal's presence may alleviate symptoms, but it is not trained to perform any particular tasks and can be another type of animal other than a dog.