Commonwealth Institute expects its students to be familiar with, and observe, the ordinary rules governing conduct of mature and responsible adults. Detailed information with regard to student conduct is supplied in the Student Handbook and at orientation.
A funeral service is a conservative experience. Commonwealth Institute expects all students to take pride in their personal appearances. Personal grooming and businesslike appearances are vital to each student’s success. For daily classes, business casual clothing that is in good taste is acceptable, as long as it does not cause a disruption in the educational environment. Hats and sunglasses are not permitted in the classroom. On days of field trips and guest speakers, students are expected to dress in the mode of contemporary funeral service practitioners: navy or black suits, white shirt or blouse, dark shoes and conservative ties, and avoid extreme hairstyles.
The Institute recognizes that students are both citizens and members of the academic community. Upon enrolling at the Institute, each student assumes an obligation to conduct himself/herself in a manner compatible with Commonwealth’s function, missions and goals. Students are expected to obey the penal and civil statues of local, state and federal government along with Commonwealth Institute’s policies, regulations, and administrative rules.
Conduct which adversely affects the student’s suitability as a member of the academic community includes but is not limited to the following:
A student charged with any of the aforementioned violations, and depending on the severity of the transgression, may by suspended by the President or Dean, pending a hearing on the charges as soon as is practical, when deemed in the best interest of Commonwealth Institute.
The Institute has established a grievance procedure to be used by students of Commonwealth to ensure their right to due process. This right to due process is administered without regard to race, creed, national origin, or sex. The grievance must be submitted in writing to the Institute within 30 days of the event. Failure to file any grievance within the specified time periods shall be deemed a waiver thereof.
The Dean or designee shall investigate the alleged grievance, and an attempt will be made to resolve the matter informally with the parties involved.
A member of the Institute’s administration (President or Dean of Academics) shall serve as the hearing officer and may resolve the matter of alleged violation through an informal hearing. The legal rules of evidence do not apply at the informal hearing. Evidence that possesses probative value and is commonly accepted by reasonable people in the conduct of the affairs may be admitted. The student is presumed innocent of the alleged violation unless the hearing officer is convinced by the evidence that the student is guilty of the violation. The hearing officer may impose one of more of the following penalties, if the student is found guilty of the alleged violation: suspension of eligibility for extracurricular activities, letter of warning, suspension for up to the remainder of the current quarter, restitution for damages, denial of degree, or permanent severance from Commonwealth Institute.
A student is entitled to appeal the decision of the Dean or hearing officer of the informal hearing to the President of Commonwealth Institute. The President shall review the matter and render the final decision in a timely manner.
No reprisal of any kind will be taken by the Board, an administrator, or an employee of Commonwealth Institute against any person bringing a grievance under this procedure.
Any grievances unresolved by Commonwealth Institute may be forwarded to the Texas Workforce Commission, Proprietary Schools, 101 East 15th Street, Austin, TX 78778-0001, (512) 936-3100.
Bombs can be constructed to look like anything and can be placed or delivered in any number of ways. The probability of finding a bomb that looks like the stereotypical bomb is almost nonexistent. The only common denominator that exits is that they are all designed and intended to explode.
A bomb threat is generally defined as a verbal threat to detonate an explosive or incendiary device to cause property damage or injuries, whether or not such a device actually exists.
There are two main reasons someone may call with a bomb threat:
The latter reason is the most frequently encountered, especially in school settings (and particularly when major exams are scheduled or projects due.) Unfortunately, there is often no way to tell which is the motivation of the caller until after a thorough inspections of the building is conducted. This means that there will always need to be a response to the threat by emergency services personnel (police, fire, and medical.)
What to do if a Bomb Threat is Received
Obtain as much information as possible using the
When You Hear the Evacuation Alarm Or Are Verbally Told To Begin Evacuating The Building:
It is not always necessary to evacuate a building during an emergency, such as a power outage. The overall safety of the building must first be evaluated: lighting, hazardous materials, ventilation systems and other hazardous operations. If the building can be safely occupied, evacuation is not necessary.
If evacuation is ordered, follow these procedures:
Emergency Assembly Area (EAA):
If you discover a fire:
Exit all persons from the building immediately. ALL ALARMS SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. If you hear an alarm, it is MANDATORY that you exit the building. Evacuate the area, walking as quickly as possible, closing all doors (but do not lock them) as you exit so that the spread of the fire is slowed down. Check all doors for heat (top and bottom) with back of hand. If hot, do not open.
If you are caught in heavy smoke, drop to hands and knees and crawl; hold your breath as much as possible; breathe shallowly through your nose; and use a blouse, shirt, or jacket as filter. When all people have been evacuated, move to a designated evacuation area and wait for an “All Clear” from the proper authorities before returning to the building.
If your clothing catches on fire, DO NOT RUN. STOP, DROP, and ROLL.
If an active shooter is INSIDE YOUR BUILDING:
Remain calm and follow the steps listed in #1 above.
If an active shooter ENTERS YOUR OFFICE OR CLASSROOM:
If you are taken hostage:
Due to the sometimes unpredictable and violent weather that often evolves in the Texas Gulf Coast region, situations may develop in which it is necessary to cancel classes or close the College completely in order to safeguard students and employees. If this need arises, the College will cancel classes following the same proceedings of Houston ISD public schools. Students are advised to stay informed.
If Houston ISD Public Schools announce class cancellations, Commonwealth Institute will cancel its classes as well.
Official Hurricane Season: June 1 to November 30.
Hurricanes are classified by wind strength known as the Saffir/Simpson Scale:
Saffir/Simpson Scale – Category Wind
I | 74-95 mph |
II | 96-110 mph |
III | 111-130 mph |
IV | 131-155 mph |
V | 156 + mph |
Severe Weather Terms in Common Use:
All decisions concerning hurricanes will be made by the President of CIFS . These decisions will be based upon the official notifications originating from the National Hurricane Center .
Before the Hurricane
In the case of an impending hurricane, the following actions will be taken:
Hurricane Watch:
1. | At the announcement of the “Hurricane Watch”, by the National Hurricane Center , the administration will instruct all personnel to begin the immediate securing of their respective areas in preparation for the possibility of the “Watch” becoming a “Warning.” |
2. | All administrators will place themselves on a 24-hour watch concerning conditions and its effect on personnel and property. |
Hurricane Warning:
1. | At the announcement of a Hurricane “Warning,” the administration will immediately announce to the student body, the faculty, and the media of the closing of the College’s facilities until further notice. |
2. | Students can contact their professors for information regarding class cancellations and resumptions. |
You can check the CIFS website at www.commonwealth.edu for additional information.
To be certain that the College Body has been alerted to all decisions mentioned in this manual, a sequence of information transmittal must be followed. This procedure will ensure that the most vital information has been appropriately propagated.
Hurricane Watch (additional personnel procedures):
In case of the worsening of the weather situation, all personnel are to secure their families and personal property first in the event that they may be needed on campus.
Hurricane Watch (additional personnel procedures):
1. | After the announcement of a Hurricane “Warning” and the closing of the College facilities, the administration will inspect the entire campus and supervise any needed window boarding, taping, moving of computers, etc. | |
2. | Staff should have by this time secured family and personal property. | |
3. | With the assistance of the Maintenance Staff, the administration is to oversee that the following steps are followed: |
A. | Shut and lock all doors and windows. | |
B. | Boarding, if necessary, is to be completed. | |
C. | Ventilator fans or air conditioning units on rooftops are also covered. | |
D. | All air conditioners are shut down. | |
E. | Delicate equipment (computers, lab equipment, etc.) are covered, unplugged, and secured. | |
F. | The President will see that each member of the College has secured his area, using the following procedures: | |
I. | After securing their own family and personal property, the administration will inspect the campuses to ascertain damage. | |
II. | The state of the campus will be determined. | |
III. | The President will assess the weather situation to determine the time and conditions of the reopening of campus. | |
IV | The administration will ensure that the Voicemail system and webpage is updated with the latest information concerning the reopening of the campus. |
415 Barren Springs Drive
Houston, Texas 77090
Office Telephone: (281) 873-0262
Toll Free: (800) 628-1580
Fax: (281) 873-5232
Email: [email protected]
Campus Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Lecture Classes
Mon-Thu 8:00 AM – 8:50 AM
Mon-Thu 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM
Mon-Thu 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
Mon-Thu 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
Mon-Thu 12:00 PM – 12:50 PM
Embalming Labs
Mon-Thu 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Fri – 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
The dates and times of laboratory sessions are scheduled at the beginning of each quarter.
2024-2025 CATALOG