Student Benefits
Just as we help our employees manage life for an improved work/life balance, Riverside helps our students manage life outside of school as they go through our educational training. Riverside offers everything from reduced daycare fees at Riverside's daycare facilities to free gym memberships, medical and retail discounts, included onsite printing services and extensive academic resources – we’re here to help make the school/life balance more manageable for our students to ensure their success. Students have access a complete list of student benefits in the RCHC student learning system (CANVAS).
Riverside Health Wellness and Fitness Center
All RCHS students receive a free membership to the Riverside Wellness and Fitness Center. The Wellness and Fitness Center offers students a holistic approach to physical and mental health. Classes such as yoga, meditation and tai chi help you relax and relieve stress.
Find your balance in life with programs and services that focus on nurturing your mind and body to refresh your mind, improve sleep, and manage stress.
VITAL Worklife - Student Assistance Program
Students can access a free, confidential 24/7 helpline for stress management, chemical dependency, legal and financial concerns, relationship issues, anxiety and depression management and more.
Students can visit the student resources page in Canvas (student learning system) for VITAL Worklife access.
Title IX and CLERY Act
It is the policy of Riverside College of Health Sciences to maintain and promote equal educational opportunity without regard to race; age (except where age is a bona fide clinical requirement); color; sex; gender identity or sexual orientation; cultural, ethnic or national origin; religion; marital status; military or veteran status; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; genetic information; disability; physical or mental condition(s), as long as the condition(s) do not limit the applicant/student’s ability to perform the Essential Program Requirements with or without reasonable accommodations as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title III Public Accommodations, ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992, Section 504; the U.S. Department of Justice’s revised final regulations implementing the ADA; Va. Code (annotated) §51.5-44; protected activity; or any other legally protected status in its educational programs or activities.
The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment. The College’s non-discrimination policy can be located at https://www.riverside.edu/resources/policies-and-disclosures. The College’s Title IX grievance procedures can be located at https://www.riverside.edu/resources/file-a-complaint. For inquiries about Title IX or to report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination, or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please contact the school’s Title IX Coordinator at [email protected] or the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights at http://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr.
It is the policy of Riverside College of Health Sciences to maintain an educational environment in which sexual and gender-based harassment are prohibited. Persons reporting sexual harassment, which includes sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking, are provided support and avenues of redress. When sexual harassment is brought to the attention of the College, it will take prompt and appropriate action to end the conduct, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects.
Inquiries or complaints, including complaints of sexual harassment or discrimination, may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, in person or at:
[email protected]
316 Main Street,
Newport News, VA 23601
(757) 240-2258
To receive a current copy of the College Policy on Sex Discrimination & Sexual Harassment contact the Title IX Coordinator.
The Title IX Coordinator and College employees involved in sexual harassment investigation and adjudication receive annual training that includes:
CLERY Act Campus Security Authority Training;
Responding to and Prevention Strategies for Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking as required by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA); and
Title IX and Responsible Authorities Reporting Requirements under Title IX.
For more information, please contact the College President at 757-240-2213.
Health and Safety Policies
Federal regulations require we notify our students that a federal or state drug conviction can disqualify a student for federal student aid. Convictions count:
- If for an offense that occurred for periods while enrolled and
- If during that enrollment period the student was receiving federal financial aid such as federal loans, Pell, ACG, SMART, SEOG grants or federal work study.
Period of ineligibility for FSA funds for the possession of illegal drugs:
- 1st offense - 1 year from date of conviction
- 2nd offense - 2 years from date of conviction
- 3+ offenses - indefinite period
Period of ineligibility for FSA funds for the sale of illegal drugs:
- 1st offense - 2 years from date of conviction
- 2nd offense - indefinite period
- A conviction for sale of drugs includes convictions for conspiring to sell drugs. If convicted on both possessing and selling, the longer period of ineligibility applies.
A student regains eligibility the day after the period of ineligibility or when a qualified drug rehabilitation program is successfully completed. A qualified drug rehabilitation program must include at least two unannounced drug tests and must satisfy at least one of the following requirements:
- Be qualified to receive funds directly or indirectly from a federal, state or local government program.
- Be qualified to receive payment directly or indirectly from a federally or state-licensed insurance company.
- Be administered or recognized by a federal, state or local government agency or court.
- Be administered or recognized by a federally or state-licensed hospital, health clinic or medical doctor.
For more information about eligibility for federal aid, please visit https://studentaid.gov/. Information on the school's substance abuse prevention program is available in the school catalog and the school policy on substance abuse (RCHS Policy # 216) is available from the Registrar's office. The policy is also located in the Student Handbook for enrolled students.
Riverside College of Health Sciences is a small, non-residential, commuter college with an annual enrollment of approximately 500 students. The College maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of alcohol and/ other drugs in the educational environment and is consistent with Riverside Health's policy. The College has no ability to affect the cost, laws, or licensure of alcohol in the areas surrounding of the campus.
The College provides a substance abuse prevention program that is designed to educate the campus community on issues of personal safety and well-being. The program provides information and resources related to the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Learn more here.
Upon graduation, prior criminal offenses must be reported on your application for credentialing examination and may negate eligibility for credentialing and employment in Virginia. Prospective students with prior criminal offenses are encouraged to contact the following professional boards before applying to the College. Learn more here.
The College is a tobacco-free environment. Tobacco, smokeless tobacco and nicotine delivery products (e-cigarettes, vapes, etc.) are not permitted anywhere on the campus, including sidewalks and parking lots.
Our campus is designated “drug-free.” Unauthorized possession, manufacture, sale, distribution, or use of any controlled substance is illegal under both state and federal laws. These laws are strictly enforced, and violators will be subject to College disciplinary action up to and including dismissal or termination, criminal prosecution, fines or imprisonment.
Although marijuana is legal for recreational purposes in the Commonwealth of Virginia, it has the ability to impair cognition, which is a safety hazard, particularly in clinical areas. Students who use marijuana for medical purposes must have medical certification from a Board of Pharmacy-registered practitioner. The medical certification must also verify that the medical use of marijuana will not impair cognitive functioning or the ability to perform safe patient care. Students are drug-screened prior to matriculation. Consistent with the College’s zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy, admission will be withdrawn for a student who tests positive to marijuana or other DEA Schedule drugs if they do not possess a legal prescription or medical certification.
Our campus complies with the federal and state regulations regarding the abuse of controlled substances, including the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 and laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. At the beginning of each academic year, the College informs all employees and students that the unlawful manufacture, possession, use or distribution of illegal drugs (including inhalants) and alcohol on the property of the College — or as part of any College activity — is prohibited. Being under the influence or having identifiable trace quantities of illegal or unauthorized drugs or alcohol in your system while on College property, in class, lab or at an RHS or non-RHS clinical facility is strictly prohibited.
Learn more about the effect of drug convictions on financial aid eligibility below.
