Student Policies

Announcements

Class information is sent to all students prior to the beginning of each class. This includes specific information about class schedules and the various services provided by The Rolf Institute’s administrative staff.

Housing and Transportation

During their stay in Boulder, students typically rent rooms from community members at a cost of $400 - $600 per month. A local, private referral list, coordinated by The Rolf Institute’s Student Services Coordinator, is available to students upon enrollment. This housing referral list includes pertinent contact information, along with details on location and distance from The Rolf Institute. Many of the living situations are within walking distance or a short bike ride or a short drive to The Rolf Institute. The bus system throughout Boulder and Denver is quiet convenient. A local bus route (#205) drops students off just a block away from the school. Click here for RTD (Regional Transportation District) website.

Prospective students are welcome to contact the The Rolf Institute Office of Admission at 1-800-803-1952 or with any questions.

Student Records

All student records are permanently on file in the school's administrative office. Any student who wishes to see his/her records may do so by appointment, during regular office hours. Transcripts are available upon request. Student records are available to The Rolf Institute administration, the Student Evaluation Committee, and the faculty of classes in which the student has been enrolled. Records are not available to other parties without the written consent of the student. Official transcripts may be sent to a third party at the specific request of the student.

Supplies and Equipment

The Rolf Institute provides students with all the necessary supplies for classroom instruction in the Rolfing Training Program, with the exception of books and personal supplies, such as notebooks.

Provided supplies include Rolfing tables, Rolfing benches, linens, audiovisual equipment, use of the digital camera system, orthopedic skeletons, handouts and anatomical charts.

Placement Assistance

Rolfers are usually self-employed in private practice and typically not in need of placement counseling. Information about Rolfers who want to share practices and are looking for other Rolfers is periodically available through the Membership Services Coordinator. Rolfers in some cases that are not self employed may find employment opportunities thru networking with other health care providers, modialities, resorts/spas, medical centers or practices in a group setting.  These opportunities for the most part occur  through collaboration and networking with these modalities. The Rolf Institute does not have a Placement Center or Office.

Massage Laws and Licensing in States and Municipalities 

Certification as a Rolfer does not guarantee a license to practice massage or bodywork in a particular state or city. State and Local licensing requirements regulations vary from state to state and city to city. The Rolf Institute's educational program and courses leading to certification as a Rolfer may not prepare students for licensure in their respective states and municipalities. State and municipal massage licensing laws vary in their content, hour requirement and testing requirements. Students should check to see what the course hours, tests and continuing education requirements are for licensed practice in the states and city that they wish to practice. For assistance on locating up to date information on licensing in state contact the Admissions Counselor.

Visas for Foreign Students

The Rolf Institute is an approved school by the U.S. Department of Justices Immigration and Naturalization Services for attendance by non-immigrating international students. Upon acceptance The Rolf Institute will provide you with an I-20M-N form. Please be sure to alert the admissions counselor to your needs. Students applying for visas must submit verification of funds sufficient to cover tuition and expenses. Please note: There will be an extra fee for expedited delivery.

Language Policy

Applicants who wish to enroll in the Rolf Certification Training Program at the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration must be proficient in the English language which includes the ability to read, write, understand and communicate in English.

English is the language of instruction at The Rolf Institute, Boulder, CO.  The Rolf Institute recognizes that applicants must have a proficient level of English to participate and be successful in the Rolf training learning process. Applicants and students in all units of the Rolf training programs are expected to be able to demonstrate (speak, read and understand) English language proficiency and are required to do so.

The Rolf Institute does not offer English-as-a-Second Language instruction nor provide any English language services. The Rolf Institute seeks students from all regions of the United States, and English-speaking students from around the world. Students are expected to be proficient in the English language prior to enrollment.
 
The Rolf Institute recognizes that students' success in our training programs depends in large part on your ability to be proficient in English and communications skills. One of the objectives in each program is to enhance students’ communication skills with the instructor, classmates, clients and the general public. This procedure requires levels of proficiency in English and communications required for students to be successful in their training and to continue their studies after Rolfing certification. Students entering into our training are expected to be proficient in the English language.

Holidays and Breaks

RISI is closed during Thanksgiving week (Monday - Friday), the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, and most federal holidays.

Deceptive Trade or Sales Policy

Colorado Revised Statute, 12-59-117 (1)(i)
"(1) Deceptive trade or sales practices. It is a deceptive trade or sales practice for: (i) A school or agent to enroll a student when it is reasonably obvious that the student is unlikely to complete successfully a program of study or is unlikely to qualify for employment in the field for which the education is designed, unless this fact is affirmatively disclosed to the student."

Attendance

Because of the intensive nature of the Rolfing training, one hundred percent punctual attendance is required of all students.  One unexcused absence requires a consultation with the instructor. Three unexcused absences is cause for termination.

Students are expected to be on time for all classes. Three unexcused tardies are the equivalent of one unexcused absence and require consultation with the instructor.

Daily attendance will be taken by the instructor and/or assistant with a copy of the student’s attendance record being placed in your file at the completion of each Unit.
 
An exception to this policy would be a death in one's family, acute illness, or other extreme emergency. Exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the instructor. In such cases, the instructor will determine how the work will be made up.  In cases of extreme hardship students may petition the Education Executive Committee faculty chair for a leave of absence. Such a leave of absence will not be unreasonably withheld.  At no time will a leave of absence be granted for more than a period of one year.  Upon return to RISI, the student's academic and practical skills will be evaluated and, if necessary, remedial work, including repeating program components, may be required for re-admission at the student's expense.

Ability to Progress and Evaluation

TIME FRAME FOR PROGRAM COMPLETION
The minimum time frame for completing the program is approximately sixty-nine weeks with the average time being eighteen months depending on which format of the program the student is enrolled in. The program length is divided into Units of two, six or eight weeks. Satisfactory completion of each Unit must be met before progressing to the next Unit.  There are three Units to become a certified Rolfer®.  The maximum allowable timeframe to complete the program from the beginning of Unit I is twenty four months or two years. The maximum allowable timeframe between Units is one year.
Program extension in circumstances in which a student is unable to complete the program in the normal time frame (e.g., issuing of a learning agreement, repeating courses due to failure, leave of absences, etc.) the student must apply for a Exception to the Maximum Policy Period to the Director of Education, which will be reviewed and approved by the Student Evaluation Committee (SEC). Students granted program extensions must complete the program within and additional six months. Failure to complete the program within the maximum time frame will result in dismissal from the program.
When a student needs to repeat a course for any reason, an evaluation will be made by the Director of Education and the Student Evaluation Committee to determine if the repeated course hours will necessitate a program extension.

CLOCK HOUR COMPLETION PER UNIT
To ensure that coursework is completed in a manner consistent with a student's ability to complete the program within the maximum allowable timeframe, students must meet minimum credit hour progress requirements per each Unit.
Credit hours are awarded for every course that a student satisfactorily completes. In order to maintain satisfactory academic progress, each student must have accumulated the required credit hours per Unit.
Unit I                            218 hours
Advanced Unit I           87 hours
Unit II                           244 hours
Unit III                           269 hours

INCOMPLETE COURSES
When a student does not complete all the coursework for a given course (i.e., assignments, tests, or exams) by the conclusion of that course, the student will receive a temporary grade of 'I' or incomplete. That student must complete all outstanding coursework within four weeks of the final class meeting of that course. At that time a final grade and the credit hours for the course will be awarded.
The temporary course grade of 'I' will be changed to a final course grade of 'P', ‘PP” or 'I' if the student has not successfully completed all coursework by the end of that four week period. Under special circumstances, special arrangements for an extension to complete the course may be allowed under written appeal to the Director of Education and the Student Evaluation Committee.
Students with a temporary grade of 'I' are still subject to all Satisfactory Progress requirements. If the incomplete course is a prerequisite for the subsequent course, the student will not be allowed to continue until the prerequisite course has been successfully completed. The grade for a course in which a student has received a temporary ‘I’ will not appear on student transcript until a final grade is awarded. Credit hours for a course in which a student has received a temporary ‘I’ are not awarded until the course is successfully completed.

THE RIGHT OF APPEAL
A student who has not been accepted for a subsequent phase of the Rolfing Certification Program or who has been refused certification may appeal the decision of the instructors. This appeal must be in writing and submitted to the Student Evaluation Chairperson, c/o the Director of Education, within fifteen working days of the decision in question.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Those who successfully complete the three required Units of Rolfing Training will receive a certification of completion upon graduation from Unit III. The following requirements must be completed prior to graduation in order to receive your diploma:
1. Completion of all coursework with a grade of ‘P’.
2. Payment in full of all tuition and fees.
A graduation ceremony is held for each Unit III. Information regarding the time and place of the ceremony will be announced to the class by the instructor.

REPEATING A CLASS
From time to time as students progress thru the RISI programs to include FORSI, AFORSI, Unit II and Unit III the teaching faculty may determine that a student is not prepared, may need further skill development and/or more clinical practice to progress to the next level of their education program.  In this case a learning agreement maybe issued to the student.

At times the above reference learning agreement my require that the student repeat a Unit over in order to gain the necessary skill level to be prepared for the work and to progress to the next Unit in their program of study.

Movement Training and Advanced Training are exempt from this policy and should the need occur to repeat these trainings they will occur at the 100% tuition level.

The student has the right to appeal the decision to the Executive Director within five working days in writing with supporting documentation.  The decision of the Executive Director shall be final.

Grading

Student progress is measured and evaluated by the instructors. Midpoint and final interviews are part of each unit. During these interviews, students receive oral feedback from their instructors and have the opportunity to discuss their class work. Copies of written evaluations that result from these interviews become part of each student's file. If a student is in danger of failing, he/she will be notified as soon as this is evident and a learning contract will be developed with the instructors. The instructors’ concerns will be documented in writing. The student will then have weekly meetings with the instructors, followed by written evaluations, until the instructors believe the situation or condition has improved. If a student's class work does not improve, he/she may be placed on probation. If the situation warrants, the student's training may be terminated. In the case of probation, additional work may be assigned, and a date for re-evaluation will be determined. Instructors may require the student to have additional supervised practice outside of class, longer study intervals between units of the training, or repeat a particular unit of the training. Any additional work assigned, including repetition of a unit of the Rolfing Certification Program, is at the student's expense. All such requirements will have a due date for completion. If the work is not satisfactorily completed by the due date, the student's enrollment will be terminated.

Grading
Grades are assigned at the end of each unit of training.

The grading system is

Pass, Probationary Pass, or Fail.

Pass indicates that all work has been completed in a satisfactory manner.

Probationary Pass indicates that continuing in the program is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of additional work as assigned by the instructor. Written copies of such requirements are provided to the student.

Fail indicates that a student has not successfully completed that unit of the program. The instructor will stipulate whether the student's enrollment should be terminated or if the unit may be repeated. Admission to the Rolfing Certification Program is not a guarantee of final certification as a Rolfer. In order to be certified as a Rolfer, students must receive a grade of Pass in Units II and III. If the student has a Conditional Pass, he/she may be granted PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATION until his/her requirements are fulfilled. If the student does not fulfill these requirements by the expiration date on his/her provisional certification, such certification may be revoked.

INCOMPLETE COURSES
When a student does not complete all the coursework for a given course (i.e., assignments, tests, or exams) by the conclusion of that course, or is issued a learning agreement the student will receive a temporary grade of 'I' or incomplete. That student must complete all outstanding coursework within four weeks of the final class meeting of that course, or within the prescribed timeframe should a learning agreement be issued.  At that time a final grade of 'P', ‘PP” or 'F' and the credit hours for the course will be awarded.
Under special circumstances, special arrangements for an extension to complete the course may be allowed under written appeal to the Director of Education and the Student Evaluation Committee.
Students with a temporary grade of 'I' are still subject to all Satisfactory Progress requirements. If the incomplete course is a prerequisite for the subsequent course, the student will not be allowed to continue until the prerequisite course has been successfully completed. The grade for a course in which a student has received a temporary ‘I’ will not appear on student transcript until a final grade is awarded. Credit hours for a course in which a student has received a temporary ‘I’ are not awarded until the course is successfully completed.

Admission to the Integrated Rolfing Studies program is not a guarantee of final certification as a Rolfer. In order to be certified as a Rolfer, students must receive a grade of Pass in Units II and III. If the student has a Conditional Pass, he/she may be granted PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATION until his/her requirements are fulfilled. If the student does not fulfill these requirements by the expiration date on his/her provisional certification, such certification may be revoked.

The Right of Appeal

A student who has not been accepted for a subsequent phase of the Rolfing training or who has been refused certification may appeal the decision of his/her instructors. The appeal must be in writing and submitted to the Student Evaluation Chairperson, c/o the Director of Education, within fifteen working days of the decision in question.

Student Grievances

The Rolf Institute is committed to a policy of open communication. All grievances regarding educational or administrative policies and procedures may be submitted to the Director of Education, in writing, for review and resolution by all concerned parties within fifteen working days of the matter being grieved. Colorado law requires that any complaint filed with the Division of Occupational Schools, 1380 Lawrence Street, Suite 1200, Denver, CO 80204, must be filed within two years after the student discontinues his/her training.

Conduct

The nature of Rolfing demands a close client-practitioner relationship. The student's conduct while in class provides the opportunity for the instructor to observe and evaluate the student's professionalism and maturity. Any conduct by the student which might jeopardize The Rolf Institute or the reputation of Rolfing will be cause for termination. Attending classes under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs or behavior disruptive to the class is cause for immediate termination. Failure to pay tuition in a timely manner is also cause for termination. Students will receive prompt notification if termination is being considered.

Postponement of Starting Date

Postponement of a starting date, whether at the request of the school or the student, requires a written agreement signed by both the student and the school. The agreement must set forth:

1. Whether the postponement is for the convenience of the school or the student, and,
2. A deadline for the new start date, beyond which the start date will not be postponed.

If the course has not commenced, or if the student fails to attend by the new start date set forth in the agreement, the student will be entitled to an appropriate refund of the deposit as set forth in the agreement, and determined in accordance with the school's refund policy and all applicable laws and rules concerning the Private Occupational Act of 1981.

Previous Training

The Rolf Institute will evaluate previous Education and Training and when appropriate, credit  maybe granted.

Transfer of Credits

The Rolf Institute does not guarantee that credit earned in its training will transfer to any other organization, unless there is a prior written agreement with that organization.

Veterans's Administration

The Rolf Institute is approved by the Colorado State Approving Agency for Veteran’s Education and Training benefits.

Refund Policy

The Rolf Institute will retain 1/2 of a student's deposit or $150, whichever is less, for any class dropped within 90 days of its start date. A student shall be refunded tuition in the following manner in the event (and within 30 days of the date) that a student fails to enter a course, withdraws, or has been terminated at any time prior to completion:

1. Refund full tuition and fees paid if the applicant is not accepted by the school.
2. Refund full tuition and fees paid if the applicant withdraws within three days after signing the enrollment agreement or making an initial payment, provided the applicant has not commenced the training.
3. Refund full tuition paid in the event that the school discontinues a course or program of education during the period of time within which a student could have reasonably completed same. This provision shall not apply in the event that the school ceases to operate.
4. Retention of a cancellation charge not to exceed $150 or 25% of the program price, whichever is less, if the applicant withdraws after three days of signing the enrollment agreement but before commencement of the training.
5. Except for retention of a cancellation charge not to exceed $150 or 25% of the contract price, whichever is less, the policy for cancellation, settlement, and refund of tuition and fees provides for at least the following:
   1. A student terminating his/her training within the first 10% (ten percent) of the program, the student shall be entitled to a refund of 90% (ninety percent) of the contract price of the program, exclusive of books, tools, and supplies.
   2. A student terminating his/her training after 10% (ten percent), but within the first 25% (twenty-five percent) of his/her program, the student shall be entitled to a refund of 75% (seventy-five percent) of the program price of the program, exclusive of books, tools, and supplies.
   3. A student terminating his/her training after 25% (twenty-five percent), but within the first 50% (fifty percent) of his/her program, the student shall be entitled to a refund of 50% (fifty percent) of the contract price of the program, exclusive of books, tools and supplies.
   4. A student terminating his/her training after 50% (fifty percent), but within the first 75% (seventy-five percent) of his/her program, the student shall be entitled to a refund of 25% (twenty-five percent) of the program price of the program, exclusive of books, tools and supplies.
   5. A student who has completed 75% (seventy-five percent) of his/her program and has entered the final 25% (twenty-five percent) of his/her program shall not be entitled to any refund and shall be obligated for the full price of the program which constitutes the maximum obligation.
6. Refunds will be time-based and determined by the number of contact hours the student has completed.
7. The official date of termination of a student shall be determined in the following manner:
   1. The date on which the school receives notice of the student's intention to discontinue the training program, or
   2. The date on which the student violates published school policy which provides for termination.

Disclaimer

The Rolf Institute carefully screens applicants and monitors their progress as they go through training. While The Rolf Institute is the sole certifying body for Rolfing Practitioners, and requires that Rolfers adhere to Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, The Rolf Institute is not a regulatory agency, and therefore is not responsible for any actions or activities on the part of the Rolfer once he or she has graduated from the Rolfing Training.

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