(Please note: This page shows most of the important policies which apply. As part of the registration process registering students will also receive the "Student Information & Policies Handbook", as well as the "Course Information & Syllabus" documents. These documents will therefore show all the relevant policies of the EWA. What follows below contains some of the important policies, but in the event of a difference between the wording of the web site and in the documents referred to above the two documents will prevail.)

In any learning environment, students should have a clear understanding of what the tutor and the ACADEMY expects from them, as well as what they can expect from the tutor and the ACADEMY. This need is more urgent for e-learning students than for traditional students because e-learning activities often occur in an environment where students may have difficulty getting timely answers to important questions. We therefore hope to anticipate students’ needs for clarity by way of this page in our web site and also from the two documents referred to above.

Credit for previous studies

Should a student believe that he/she has already acquired credits, at a different educational institution, for subjects who form part of a course for which she/he wishes to register, such student shall contact the ACADEMY with a full motivation and the ACADEMY shall consider such student's application for such credits. The ACADEMY’s decision in this regard will be communicated to the relevant student in writing but its decision shall notwithstanding be final and binding and shall not be subject to appeal or review.

IT Hardware and Software

• All students will need access to a reliable computer (either Mac or PC) with an internet connection (preferably broadband or cable), and their own personal e-mail address.
• Our experience has been that if students do not have a regular, commercial email address it is better that they use a yahoo email address, and preferably not one from Hotmail.
• You are responsible for the proper functioning of your computer; a malfunctioning computer is no valid excuse for submitting late work!
• You should have the following Microsoft (or OpenOffice equivalent) software installed on such computer:
  Microsoft Word, Windows Media Player, PowerPoint (optional) and Excel (optional)

IT Skills

• It is assumed that students who wish to follow an e-learning course have an adequate amount of experience to work on a computer
• students should be able to use their email and word processing package
• they should be able to navigate their way around a website
• Be able to down load and install software programs.

Communication system policies

(The system by which e-mails, assignments, queries, registration forms, tutor application forms, comments etc. are sent and received)

• Whilst every effort is made to ensure that our communication system is free from defect, we do not accept responsibility for any damage to, or loss of data on, your computer system, network or server that results from the use of any of our materials or those licensed from any third parties.
• Any advice or guidance given by the ACADEMY relating to any aspect of the communication system or its use is followed at the student's own risk.
• Sending materials: This will be done mostly via the e-learning platform or by email. Virtually all communication between tutor and student will take place via the internet. Students should make a copy of all materials sent via the internet, as the ACADEMY accepts no responsibility for the loss of any such material.

E-Mail Policies

E-learning tutors routinely report being overwhelmed by the need to answer numerous e-mails they receive from students. Please ensure that you have a legitimate need before you send emails to tutors. To avoid time wastage:

• Students are required to refer to the course material, this Introduction and Syllabus for general course information and course policies instead of requesting it from tutors by e-mail.
• Tutors will not answer emails where the subject line has not been filled in with a clear subject or where it raises an inappropriate subject
• Tutors will respond to emails within a maximum of 5 business days, and within the official e-office hours set out in this document
• students are required to check their email regularly, preferably every day
• Tutors will not respond to e-mails about test dates, how students’ grades are determined, or any other information that is clearly listed as general course information in the course syllabus.
• Tutors will only respond to emails that deal with:
  • a students’ personal concerns,
  • students difficulties comprehending course content,
  • Or their need for clarification about graded work.
  • Tutors will only respond to emails in the following e-office hours: Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.(European time);Tuesdays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Fridays from 10:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Assignment and Essays Policies

Clear guidelines governing written work like assignments or essays are very important, in part because they reduce student frustration when preparing assignments and also because they can reduce the amount of e-mail students will send tutors asking for clarification.

• Lectures are made available to students on a regular (usually weekly) basis, via the platform
• Not all lectures will require students to submit assignments; instead such lectures will contain quizzes which are compulsory. Such quizzes will be conducted via the platform.
• The work you submit for assessment must be your own unaided work.
• Any materials (e.g. books, leaflets or information from the Internet) used in the completion of your coursework should be acknowledged in the work itself, at the end in the form of a bibliography. Whilst it is a debatable question whether information taken from the Internet may be used in education and teaching without permission, and in fact some of our lectures sometimes utilize such information, it is still preferable that you use full references.
• To present material copied from any source without acknowledgement will not be acceptable.
• You should add pictures and graphs to make your answers more credible.
• You will receive credit points if you can show that you have formed an own opinion on the topic of the assignment, and not just repeated the course notes!
• The subject line of the relevant email must include: your name, the course, the assignment number. Example: “ John Smith – wine2/13 – assignment 7”
• all Assignments must comply with the following requirements:
  • it shall not be part of the e-mail’s body but shall be in a separate Word document
  • spell checkers must be used before you submit the assignment
  • it must include the student’s name and the course description –(see example on the e-learning platform)
  • it shall be free from typing defects
  • proper grammar shall be used (students sometimes wonder why we bother with spelling and grammar: we would not be fulfilling our obligation to you if we allow you to believe that in the business world it is acceptable to write documents, emails and letters of a low standard!)
  • each page must be numbered
  • only regular fonts, such as Ariel or Times New Roman, may be used
    
    
• The course software standards for submission of assignments are Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Assignments contained in the body of an email are not acceptable and will therefore not be reviewed or graded.
• No copyright infringement or plagiarism is allowed
• Sources, including text books or web sites, used in the preparation of the assignment must be quoted fully at the end of the assignment
• Each question should first be stated, with the answer following it
• All assignment due dates must be strictly complied with; late assignments will not be accepted unless prior arrangements were made with the relevant tutor
• Students must ensure that assignments are virus-free. Should our virus detection service nevertheless detect a virus such student will be advised thereof and such assignment must be re-submitted, minus said virus, within 24 hours thereof
• Students are advised to keep hard copies of their assignments as well as of tutor’s reviews, as the ACADEMY does not provide copies from its record base.

Student Privacy Policies

Privacy policies and related procedures protect a student’s legal right to privacy and confidentiality. We are committed to respecting your privacy and protecting any information provided by you.

• The information requested during registration is collected by the ACADEMY alone and is used to facilitate effective, personalised communication between student and tutor and to allow us to maintain contact with our registered students.
• By supplying us with personal information, registered students agree to the collection and storage of this information and to the ongoing collection and storage of information relating to that student’s progress.
• Information within a student's progress record can be accessed only by the student, the student's tutor and the administration department of the ACADEMY.
• Other than for the distribution of course materials, or if the law requires it, the ACADEMY will not disclose any personally identifiable information except when we have asked for, and been given, written permission from the student.
• Registered students may, at any time, view the personal information held about them by the ACADEMY. They may update or correct this information by contacting the administration department by email.
• Through this strict policy of privacy the ACADEMY endeavours to protect the information provided by its registered students, however students should be aware that transmission over the internet and the World Wide Web cannot be guaranteed as totally secure.
• We do not require details about student personal traits such as race, ethnicity or disabilities.
• If we plan to publicize students’ work, including, for example, their words in electronic discussions, e-mail, or assignments they will be informed of such decisions and permission to do so will be obtained in advance.

Intellectual Property Rights Policy

• The Internet makes it very easy to obtain and use work created by others, hence easy to violate their rights to this work.
• When students unfairly use materials created by others in e-learning assignments, essays or projects they are guilty of plagiarism. This applies to any and all sources they use.
• All the materials that form part of this course, together with the announcements posted and words in electronic discussions and email remain the intellectual property of the ACADEMY, not to students who might wish to use them.
• course materials are for class purposes only and cannot be distributed to others without violating the intellectual property rights and/or the privacy rights of the owners of these materials, whether the course tutor, students in the course, or those who created outside sources of information.

Examinations Policy

In keeping with our policy of wishing to produce serious students, and because of accreditation requirements, students following longer courses will write exams/tests periodically. These are done at the end of each module on the e-learning platform via on-line multiple choice tests. Where relevant we may also allow a student to do such exams or tests with the trusted Proctor system.

Student Code of Conduct Policies

This code of conduct is established to ensure that students have a clear understanding of what their tutor and fellow students expect of their conduct in this class.

Each student is expected:

• To treat other students and tutors with dignity and respect in all discussions and at all times
• Comply with all regulations and policies of the ACADEMY
• Not contravene any policy relating to plagiarism or copyright, violation of which could lead to dismissal from the course
• Regarding attendance: students are expected to attend all workshops, audio-or video-conferences and chat sessions, unless they have obtained an exemption from their tutor in advance
• Be self-motivated and self-disciplined.
• Be a good time manager.
• Approach the course with a desire to learn.
• Voluntarily help other students, bearing in mind, however, that doing other people’s work for them is tantamount to cheating.
• Develop needed technology skills.
• Contribute to course discussions.
• Listen to others, and respond respectfully to their comments.
• Contribute to team activities, and respect the ideas of others.
• Comply with all course policies.
• Submit constructive suggestions for improving the course.
  
  

The Registration process, Payment of Course Fees and Registration costs

Students are not regarded as being registered or enrolled in a course until the full registration process has been completed (see below).

• The Registration process: To complete a registration the following steps have to be finalised:
  • The student submits his/her signed “Registration form”, containing all required details
  • EWA emails the “Student Information & Policies Handbook” to the student;
  • Payment is made of all course fees, registration costs and other ancillary costs (as outlined on the Registration form)
  • Once payment has been received EWA will forward its official Invoice to the student.
  • Immediately upon the provisional registration (after the Registration form has been submitted and payment of the course fees has been effected) EWA also will email (the email is quite detailed, in order to explain everything again for the student) the “Course Introduction & Syllabus” document to that student, together with the student’s user name and password- which means that the student has access to his/her course.
  • The student is expected to then study at least the first lecture of his/her course, and any others that may be available to him/her at the time of the student being given access to the course, the intention being that the student has an opportunity to satisfy himself/herself as to the quality and academic standard of the lecture(s) before the expiry of the 14 day ‘cooling-off’ period.
  • Once the student has received this last document, and has studied at least the first lecture of his/her course, and any others that may be available to him/her at the time of the student being given access to the course, he/she sends an email to EWA (the wording of which is set out below, and will be repeated in a covering email) confirming that the student has received all relevant documents, understands them, has studied the first lecture (and any others that may be available to him /her at the time of the student being given access to the course), and has satisfied himself/herself as to its academic standard.
• 
  Cooling-off period
  
  The EWA allows for a cooling-off period of 14 (fourteen) weekdays. In the event of a student deciding, within 14 (fourteen) days from the date of signature of the Student Registration Form, to cancel his/her registration, he/she shall do so in writing, which decision will be communicated to the EWA in writing. If payment has already been made the EWA shall repay all fees paid within said 14 (fourteen) days, excluding €100 (one hundred euro) cancellation cost, as well as the registration costs which shall retained.
  
  
• Course fees
  
  All current course fees are displayed on EWA’s web site. Additionally all students pay registration costs (which is currently set at €50), and there are examination fees of €30 per module. The Registration form sets out all relevant costs and course fees.
  
  
• Only by bank transfer:
  
  As EWA strives to keep its course fees reasonable and affordable EWA does not accept credit card payments or similar payments, as these always leads to course fee increases. Therefore all payments have to be made by students giving their bank an instruction to pay the relevant sum into EWA’s bank account. However, students should use EWA’s bank’s international codes (see below) as this is not only more time efficient but could save some bank costs.
  
  Students should make sure their payment contains a reference to their name and course and it is paid into the bank account of EWA (as shown on the latest Registration Form on the web site).
  
  
• Money Transfer Services
  
  Because of problems some students have experienced with money transfer services (like PayPal etc.), and because in the end it is cheaper for the student and for EWA we do not, at this stage, accept such payment methods (although EWA is constantly investigating possible alternatives, and will change its Registration Form once it is satisfied that its students are fully protected with such money transfer services).
  
  
• Bank Costs
  
  All bank costs have to be paid by the student, so that EWA receives the full payment, without the deduction of bank or transfer costs. Therefore it is advisable that students first enquire from their bank as to the amount of such bank costs in advance, and add that on to the course fee and registrations costs.
  
  
• Payment in Instalments: Fee Instalment Plan
  
  In the case of all courses exceeding 40 lectures, certain students may request to pay the course fees under a Fee Instalment Plan. However, there are conditions involved in such an event and EWA shall have the right to adjust the remaining instalment to be in line with whatever course fee increases there may have been in the meanwhile.
  
  
  • The maximum outstanding, unpaid amount which can be paid off under this FI Plan is 40% of the course fee, and this would have to be settled in full within 6 months from the date of the relevant Registration Form. That means that the student has to pay at least 60% of the full course fee, plus the registration costs, upon registration.
    
    
  • If the full balance is not paid on time the student will not receive any further lectures until such payments are brought up to date.
    
    
  • No interest is payable on the outstanding balance, except in the event of any defaulting with payments, in which event interest of 10% (ten per centum) p/a will be reckoned on the outstanding balance,
    
    
  • In such an event of the student falling behind with payments the EWA will give such student one month’s written notice to bring such arrear payments up to date, and should the student refuse or fail to do so the EWA will then be entitled to take legal action against said student to recover such outstanding balance, as well as interest of 10% p/a reckoned on the outstanding balance, as well as all legal costs.
    
    
  • even if the student falls behind with his/her payments the full outstanding balance will nevertheless still remain owing and payable by the student.
    
    

• Trade Marks
  
  The name of the ACADEMY, its logo and its domain name, as reflected on this web site, are the property of the ACADEMY. These marks may not be used in any way without the prior written permission of the ACADEMY.
  
  
• EWA’s undertaking to the student
  
  When a course is purchased by the student being registered, EWA agrees to provide the following goods and services:
  
  
  • Course materials which EWA believes are suitable for their purpose. The course design is important as it can make the course informative, up-to-date and relevant. The course material is therefore usually based on a combination of the leading standard text book on the course, blended with relevant wine articles and internet sources, and, where considered relevant, comments and contributions by the course designer, so that the relevant course is a good combination of academic and practical content blended with wine articles and internet sources to create an up-to-date and informative lecture.

1. provide a secure e-learning platform
   
   
2. personal tuition, in the form of personal responses to queries relating to lectures and assignments in the course materials.
   
   
3. where relevant, and depending on the course, tutors may also hold direct person-to-person classes, practicums, workshops and conduct Field Trips. In such cases the course description or the instructions relating to such specific courses, will clearly indicate the EWA’S responsibilities.
   
   
4. Limitations:
   
   

• The purchase of a course does not imply any guarantee of exam success, entrance to university or any other educational establishment, professional advancement, employment possibilities or any other particular result.
• Tutors' comments and marks are offered in good faith but cannot be taken as a prediction of examination grades.
• The EWA cannot and does not accept responsibility for entering students for exams or for ensuring that any coursework required is completed.

• 
  Acceptance of Students
  
  Students under the age of 18 years may be considered for registration provided they have had a good, general education, and have the additional support and guidance of an adult at home or at school.
  
  The ACADEMY reserves the right to decline the application of any student, regardless of age.
  
  
  
• Course Duration
  
  Students following courses are expected to complete their courses within the stipulated time frame.
  
  However, should students find that they are unable to complete the course within this time limit and provided they contact the ACADEMY to request an extension, the ACADEMY shall then decide whether to grant such an extension, and this may also depend on the reasons advanced by the student for such a request. The decision of the ACADEMY regarding the extension of such time shall be final and binding. In the event of a positive decision tutor support will be made available for up to six extra months.
  
  
  
• Termination
  
  If any student fails to comply with any of these Policies, or to hand in or complete any assignment, essay or other project set by a tutor, within the time frame stipulated by such tutor, and continue to neglect to do so after at least 2x emailed requests to do so by such tutor or the ACADEMY, such student’s registration may be cancelled.
  
  The ACADEMY reserves the right to cancel a student’s registration if he/she has made no contact with the ACADEMY for 3 months or longer and has not responded to at least 2 emailed requests for information sent to the e-mail address the ACADEMY have on record for such student.
  
  
• Jurisdiction
  
  This agreement shall be governed and interpreted in all respects in accordance with the laws of Belgium and the EU.