Academic Information

Academic Advising

In order to coordinate services and assist with educational goals, each student at UA Cossatot is assigned an advisor who specializes in a particular area of study. Advisors help to guide students to academic completion through individual correspondence and follow up. Students are encouraged to make contact with their advisors each semester.    

Students planning to transfer from UA Cossatot to another college should be aware that courses completed at UA Cossatot toward a Certificate or an Associate of Applied Science Degree are designed for employment purposes and may not transfer to four-year institutions. Students seeking transferable credits should consult with their advisor before enrolling.

Grades of “D” are considered passing, but these courses may not be accepted when transferring to another institution. As a general rule, students planning to transfer to another institution should contact the Registrar’s office of the receiving school to verify transferability of courses prior to taking the course.

Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS)

The Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS) outlines the transferability of courses within Arkansas public colleges and universities. Students are guaranteed the transfer of applicable credits and equitable treatment in the application of credits for the admissions and degree requirements. See the ACTS website at http://acts.adhe.edu/. 

Adding Courses

Students may add courses during the registration period ONLY. VIP registration opens a week prior to general registration. Fall registration is available April through the first day of classes in August. Spring registration is available October through first day of classes in January. Summer registration is available April through first day of classes in June. Enrollment in FLEX courses follows a different registration schedule; refer to the Academic Calendar for specific dates. A student may drop a class prior to the Census Date (10^th class day fall/spring; 4^th class day summer) without penalty or payment required.

Credit for Courses

UA Cossatot uses the semester credit hour for computation of courses, which is defined as the amount of credit given for one contact hour in class per week for a minimum of 16 weeks (or the equivalent). Some technical courses that consist of predominantly laboratory, hands-on training will contain more class (contact) hours for one semester hour credit. For detailed information about specific courses (including technical and medical courses) see the course descriptions.

Each course number provides specific information about the course. The first number is the academic level. The final digit of the course number on the right indicates the number of credit hours awarded for the course — 1, 2, 3, or 4. For example, course number 1113 would be a freshman level course valued at 3 hours credit. The two middle numbers help UA Cossatot to identify the course (see below).

ENGL 1113

ENGL indicates a course in the English department.

   1          Indicates a first-year or freshman-level course.

           1       Generally has no official meaning.

         1        Sequence number of a class in a series; in this case, English Composition I as opposed to Composition II.

                                                       3 Indicates 3 credit hours.

Auditing Courses

Auditing a course means a student can take classes but is not graded or awarded credit for the course. Academic exploration and self-enrichment are reasons to audit a course. In order to audit a course, a student must meet the admission requirements and make payment of tuition and fees for the course. Students auditing a course are subject to the same regulations as regular students but do not take examinations. A student may change from credit status to audit status until mid-term of each semester. Students may audit a course after completing it for credit, or they may take a course for credit after previously auditing it.

Course Load

Full-time status for fall and spring terms is 15 semester hours, although 12 semester hours is considered full-time for federal financial aid programs. Some scholarships or grants may require additional hours each semester. Most programs of study require more than 12 semester hours per semester to complete a degree within the suggested timeframe. Generally, 19 hours is the maximum load a student may carry during a regular semester. Any student wishing to take more than 19 hours must have a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 3.0 and request permission from the Vice Chancellor for Academic Services.

UA Cossatot Textbook Program

UA Cossatot provides the option to rent course-required textbooks, for a maximum fee of $30 each per semester, directly from the college. Students should check the course list at www.youseemore.com/cccua to determine if a textbook is required and visit the Educational Resource Center (ERC) to rent textbooks. Textbook rental and return dates are posted.  Some courses may require the purchase of software or supplementary material. Please direct any questions about the Textbook Program to the Director of Educational Resources at the ERC.

Attendance Requirements

The college recognizes the correlation between student attendance and student retention, achievement and success.  Any class session or activity missed, regardless of cause, reduces the opportunity for learning and may adversely affect a student’s achievement.  Non-attendance may impact a student’s financial aid. The college requires that instructors take and timely report student attendance. 

Students are expected to attend all class sessions and laboratory periods for which they are enrolled. The class instructor defines circumstances under which an absence may be excused and absences are generally an individual matter between the student and instructor. Each instructor shall, in writing, at the beginning of each semester make clear to the students in the course the expectations regarding attendance. The attendance policy is located in syllabi or program handbooks. Students are responsible to instructors for class attendance and for any class work missed during an absence. Students are responsible for contacting instructors regarding work missed. Make-up assignments are only permitted with the approval of the instructor. Students who will be absent from class due to participation in athletics or a college-sponsored activity are responsible for completing all required coursework as provided by the instructor. The instructor determines how in-class activities associated with an absence(s) can be accommodated. 

Instructors reserve the right to drop or withdraw students from classes due to lack of attendance at the point that a student has missed 25% of the class. Courses meeting twice a week correlates to 7 days; courses meeting once a week correlates to 4 days; online and summer courses correlate to 4 days. Certain programs may require more stringent attendance requirements.

Students are required to establish initial attendance in physical classes by the second week of class and in virtual classes by making a substantial contribution by the tenth (10^th) business day of the semester. [fourth (4^th) day of class for eight (8) week semesters, second (2^nd) day of class for four (4) week semesters]. The instructor determines a substantial contribution as a homework assignment, a quiz or test, or an appropriately involved discussion board posting.

Students failing to establish initial attendance by the tenth (10^th) business day of the semester will be reported as “no-shows” by their instructor. [Fourth (4^th) day of class for eight (8) week semesters, second (2^nd) day of class for four (4) week semesters.]

Student attendance in virtual classes will be established by weekly substantial contributions as defined above. 

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must contact Student Services and/or the instructor to complete the drop process.  Failure to withdraw can result in an “F” being posted on the student’s transcript.

• Special note for students with disabilities: For students with disabilities that may affect attendance in classes, contact Disability Services for accommodations.
• Special note for Veterans: Veterans who request an emergency leave of absence will have their educational benefits terminated as of the last day of attendance.
• Special note for Students receiving Title IV Federal Funds (Pell, SEOG, FWS, etc.): If a student receives all “F’s” for the semester, the Financial Aid Office is required by law to determine if the F’s were given for nonattendance or for academic reasons. If the F’s were for nonattendance, the Financial Aid Office will determine whether the student is obligated to return any Title IV funds that they have received. Please refer to the Federal Policy - Return of Title IV Funds in the Financial Aid section of this catalog. To view full content of the Title IV Refund Policy, please see our website.

Dropping Courses

A student may drop a class prior to the Census Date without penalty or payment required. After the 10^th class day for the fall/spring semesters and the 4^th class day for the summer semester, a student must contact Student Services to complete the drop process. Instructors may drop students for lack of attendance, low academic achievement, or inadequate progress without student consent.

Failure to withdraw properly (in writing with signature and date) will result in an “F” being posted on the student’s transcript.

Withdrawal from College

Students must contact Student Services (studentservices@cccua.edu) to complete a total withdraw from the college. Contact points may include phone, email, or in-person.

Students withdrawing prior to the last day to withdraw will receive a “W” on their transcript. Failure to officially withdraw will result in an “F” being posted to the student’s transcript. It is also the student’s responsibility to pay the appropriate tuition, fees, and other charges.

Information concerning procedures and dates are widely publicized. The Appeals Committee will not consider petitions from students who claim “non-awareness” of withdrawal procedures and deadlines.

Administrative Removal

At the discretion of the appropriate Division Chair, and after consultation with the instructor and Vice Chancellor for Academic Services, a student may be removed from a program or course for violating division, program, and/or college policy/procedures. Students who are administratively removed for violating a policy or procedure are responsible for any remaining financial obligation to the school and may be required to repay federal financial aid.

Incomplete Course Grades

An instructor may, with the approval of the Division Chair, award an “Incomplete grade” (I) if the student requests and extenuating circumstances are present. The student must request the “I” grade prior to the last day of withdrawal for the semester. An instructor can initiate an “I” grade request after the last day under special instances and with the approval of Vice Chancellor for Academic Services.  An “I” grade will be calculated for that semester’s grade point the same as if it were an “F” grade, i.e., zero quality points will be earned. If the “I” grade is remedied within eight weeks after the grade was assigned that semester’s GPA. will be revised accordingly. “I” grades may be extended past the eight-week period under extenuating circumstances with the pre-approval of both Division Chair and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Services, but the extension will not exceed one calendar year.

Grades

Students may contact their instructors at any time to determine grade standing. Early and final grades will be posted via CampusConnect, provided the student is not on academic or financial hold. The following grading system is used to evaluate students:

*Some medical programs have higher required grade ranges

“W” grades are disregarded when calculating grade point averages. A grade of “AU” indicates that the course has been audited and that no credit was given for the course; this will be indicated by the code on the transcript. A grade of “N” indicates that the credit was earned by work experience, advanced placement, or CLEP.

Calculation of GPA

A student’s grade point average (GPA) is calculated using the quality points earned in the course and the semester hours assigned to that course, in the following formula:

Total Quality Points earned divided by
Total Semester Credit Hours Pursued

Quality points are calculated by multiplying the value of the letter grade assigned for a course (A= 4; B= 3; C= 2; D= 1; F or I= 0) times the credit hours awarded for the course.  A grade of “A” in a 3 credit hour course would be equal to 12 quality points (4 x 3=12).

Academic Probation/Suspension

Students must maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.0 to achieve satisfactory academic progress (S.A.P.). Failure to maintain a cumulative 2.0 G.P.A. will result in the student being placed on academic probation. If the grade level performance does not improve within the next semester, the student may be suspended for a period of one regular semester. Upon readmission, the student will be on academic probation and must meet the guidelines set forth or be dismissed.

When placed on probation, the student must meet with the Division Chair and/or advisor to develop a plan of action for the semester prior to enrollment. If already enrolled for the upcoming semester at the time of entering probation, the student must still meet with the Division Chair and/or advisor prior to the start of classes. When returning from suspension prior to enrollment, the student must meet with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Services to develop a plan of action for the semester. Plans of action may vary from student to student. Students on probation or suspension from another institution must follow the same guidelines.

To appeal an academic probation or suspension, the student must submit a typed request similar to that of a formal grade grievance to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Services.

Academic Clemency

UA Cossatot allows students to apply for academic clemency in certain situations. Under the provisions of academic clemency, students may petition to have previously earned grades and credits removed from the calculations of their cumulative grade point average. If granted, those forgiven credits will not count towards graduation. Transcripts must contain a student’s comprehensive academic record and these courses will show up on that transcript.

In order to qualify for academic clemency:

• A student must not have been enrolled in any institution of higher education for at least three years prior to the request. Having been granted academic clemency at another institution does not disqualify a student requesting academic clemency at UA Cossatot.
• Returning students may petition for clemency upon application for admission or upon enrollment. The clemency will not take effect unless the student completes at least the next 12 semester hours of credit with a 2.0 G.P.A.
• Clemency is granted on a semester by semester basis with all grades in a semester being eliminated. In some cases, it may serve a student better to retake some classes in which poor grades were earned, rather than to eliminate all previous credit from that semester.
• Students must submit petitions (available at www.cccua.edu under Apply & Enroll>>Current Students) for academic clemency to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Services.

Clemency petitions will not be accepted until all admission documentation is complete and there is no outstanding debt.

Graduation Information

Graduation Requirements

Students who complete the requirements of a program of study as prescribed by UA Cossatot and approved by the Arkansas State Department of Higher Education will receive a certificate or a degree. Specific degree information may be found later in the catalog. Students must complete at least 40% of the degree or certificate through UA Cossatot to be eligible to receive a diploma. Exception: Members of the armed services who are enrolled under the Service-members Opportunity College (SOC) must complete at least 25% of their certificate or degree program requirements through UA Cossatot.

Each required course must be passed with at least a “D.” Practical Nursing, Registered Nursing, OTA and Medical Assisting programs require at least a “C.” and the student’s cumulative G.P.A. must be at least 2.0. AS Education requires cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 in order to graduate. 

Developmental and/or preparatory courses (all GSTD courses) will not be used to fulfill degree requirements or elective course requirements for any diploma or degree.

Prospective graduates must complete an “Application to Graduate” by the date listed in the Academic Calendar. It is the student’s responsibility to clear outstanding debts to the College prior to graduation.

Students not participating in the graduation ceremony will receive their diploma/certificate after the ceremony. A student may contact the Registrar to pick up awards at a specific UAC campus. If requesting awards to be mailed, students should contact the Registrar for proper postage amounts.

Honor Student Designations

UA Cossatot recognizes students who excel in college-level courses in the following manner. 

• Vice Chancellor’s List: Full-time students (12 or more hours completed within the semester) who have achieved a 3.5 to 3.99 grade point average for that semester and notification will be sent to area news media.
• Chancellor’s List: Full-time students (12 or more hours completed within the semester) who have achieved a 4.0 grade point average for that semester and notification will be sent to area news media.

The following designations are reserved for graduates of Degree and Technical Certificate programs.

• Cum Laude: Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 to 3.74
• Magna Cum Laude: Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 to 3.89
• Summa Cum Laude: Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.90 to 4.00

Developmental courses (GSTD prefix) will not be calculated for the purpose of Honors designation.

Catalog Privilege

A student has the option to graduate under the requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of initial enrollment, providing the student has maintained continuous enrollment, and meets all requirements within five (5) years of initial enrollment.

Reverse Transfer

Students wishing to reverse transfer must meet the catalog requirements that they fall under. If a student is not currently enrolled, the catalog degree plan from when they were enrolled will be used. It is the responsibility of the student to have transcripts from other colleges sent to us and confirm that they wish to reverse transfer. We will not reverse transfer or award a degree for such without approval from the student.

Student Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity is defined as a commitment to five fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Academic dishonesty includes any act that gives an unfair advantage or is damaging to the reputation or performance of the academic community.

1.    Such acts may include, but are not limited to:

• Theft of or unauthorized access to an exam, answer key or other graded work from previous course offerings.
• Copying answers, data, or other information (or allowing others to do so) during an examination, quiz, laboratory experiment, or any other academic exercise in which the student is not expressly permitted to work jointly with others.
• Using any device, implement, or other form of study aid during an examination, quiz, laboratory experiment, or any other academic exercise without the faculty member's permission.
• Use of an alternate, stand-in or proxy during an examination.
• Copying from the examination or work of another person or source.
• Submission or use of falsified data.
• Using false statements to obtain additional time or other accommodation.
• Unauthorized Collaboration / Collusion
• Misrepresenting facts (e.g., providing false information to postpone an exam, obtain an extended deadline for an assignment, or even gain an unearned financial benefit).
• Begging.
• Multiple submissions—submitting essentially the same written assignment for two courses without authorization.
• Any other acts (or attempted acts) that violate the basic standard of academic integrity.
• Falsifying or inventing any information, citation, or data; involvement in actions unbecoming to students in good standing or potentially damaging to the College reputation or that of the members of its academic community of students and scholars.

2. Plagiarism is defined as the representation of the words or ideas of another as one's own in any academic work. Avoiding plagiarism:

• Direct quotations must be identified by quotation marks, or by appropriate indentation (block text) and must be cited properly according to the format (MLA Style, APA Style, or Chicago Style) as appropriate for the particular course requirement. 
• Material paraphrased or summarized from any source is acknowledged with citations to indicate the exact source of reference. 
• Information that is common knowledge, such as names of leaders of prominent nations, basic scientific laws, etc., need not be cited. The sources of all facts or information obtained in reading or research that are not common knowledge among students in the course must be acknowledged. 
• Material cited in the text must be noted in a Works Cited page. Materials contributing to understanding of the subject but not quoted or paraphrased in the text of the paper must be cited in the bibliography.
• Additionally, papers that have been previously submitted by the writer to the same or another class are considered self-plagiarism.
• Papers that contain more than a specific amount of quoted material (as defined by individual instructors), even though correctly cited, are considered to violate the definition of plagiarism.

3. Disciplinary actions may include any of the below:

• Warning: Instructors reserve the right to give a warning to the student, lower the grade, or assign an F in the course, according to the instructor’s discretion and determination of the severity of the offense. Instructors may also require the student to attend a specified number of meetings at the Educational Resource Center (ERC) to address the problem. Instructors must file the first and/or subsequent offense reports and the disciplinary action with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Services.
• Completion of the Academic Integrity Course: The Vice Chancellor for Academic Services, on behalf of the institution, may require the student to complete the Academic Integrity Course through the ERC. During this, the student may be placed on an Academic Integrity Hold by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Services until requirements are met. The hold will be removed and the student will be allowed to register once requirements are completed in full.
• Probation: During probation, a student may still enroll and attend classes and participate in college events and programs. However, organization, department, divisional, or national by-laws or policies may prevent students from participation in a leadership or organizational role. Additionally, the student may be placed on an Academic Integrity Hold by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Services. The student must receive approval from the Vice Chancellor for Academic Services to enroll in courses during the probationary period. Once this period concludes without additional acts of misconduct, the student is returned to good standing with the college.
• Suspension: During the period of suspension, the student is considered not to be in good standing with the college and is not allowed to attend classes or participate in college related events and programs. Once this period is concluded, without additional acts of misconduct, the student is returned to good standing with the college.
• Expulsion: The student may not enroll again at any UA Cossatot campus.

Aggravating and extenuating factors taken into consideration by the Vice Chancellor for Academics when assigning disciplinary sanctions may include:

• Severity of academic misconduct
• Prior acts of academic misconduct
• Level of maturity in assuming responsibility/accountability for the misconduct
• Status of student (i.e. transfer versus first year enrollment) and year in school
• Other circumstances (e.g., academic achievement, familial issues, emotional disturbance, etc.)

Educational Resource Center

The UA Cossatot Educational Resource Center (ERC) is a fully functioning, media-rich, user-friendly resource center striving to enrich the lives of students through active learning. Working with faculty, we seek to promote higher education and help students achieve their maximum academic potential.

There is an ERC at each UA Cossatot campus with knowledgeable staff available to assist students during hours of operation. The ERC has several computer stations available for studying and a lounging area with comfortable seating. The ERC offers about 10,000 titles in book and media format, as well as numerous online databases. Students may access databases 24/7 after acquiring a student identification card.

Free tutoring is available at the ERC on all three UAC campuses. Tutors provide one-on-one assistance in academic endeavors, clarify information presented in classes, and help students understand concepts and patterns in course curriculum. Tutoring is also available via Blackboard Collaborate Ultra at the Virtual ERC.

The ERC offers tutorial videos on its YouTube channel. Tutorial guides are available in the form of libguides at the ERC website.

Tutors WILL NOT complete a student’s homework, help with take-home or open-book tests, solve assigned homework problems, or offer any assistance without direct student involvement, a show of critical thinking, and cooperation in the learning process. The ERC expects students to assume ultimate responsibility for their own academic performance. The ERC also offers workshops, study groups when possible, and online assistance. Hours vary by semester and are posted at the ERC web page and Facebook page listed below. 

ERC Website:  www.youseemore.com/cccua

ERC Facebook Page:  www.facebook.com/UACERC

Disability Services

UA Cossatot recognizes that individuals with disabilities have a legal right to equal access to a college education. The United States’ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and subsequent amendments, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act establish that right.    

The United States’ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines “disability” as “having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities.” The ADA protects individuals from discrimination of they have a record of such impairments or if they are regarded as having such impairments.

An individual with a disability is someone:

• With a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity
• Who has a record of such an impairment
• Who is regarded as having such an impairment

Section 504 prohibits discriminating on the basis of disability against participants in programs receiving federal funds. Campuses are required to be physically and programmatically accessible. Colleges are required to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities to ensure equal access to college offerings.

ADA defines reasonable accommodation as: “changes or adjustments in a school site, program, or job that makes it possible for an otherwise qualified student with a disability to perform the duties or tasks required.” Colleges are not required to provide personal aides or assistants. A student with a disability is to have what is needed so that they may access every activity (or its equivalent) that is available to other students.

Colleges are not expected to provide something which will cause an “undue hardship” on the college. “Undue hardship” is defined as: “action requiring significant difficulty or expense” when considered in light of factors such as: nature and cost of the accommodation in relation to the overall size, resources, nature and structure of the college’s operation. Alternatives which may serve in place of the specific accommodation should be considered.

Requesting Academic Accommodations

Students must complete an Application for Disability Services available at any UAC campus or online at www.cccua.edu/dss and submit to Disability Services via email at disabilityservices@cccua.edu, fax at 870.898.4552, or deliver to any UAC campus.

Students must contact Disability Services for a documentation interview and review. The student’s self-report regarding how he or she may be “limited by impairment” serves as primary disability documentation. Observation/interaction with the student serves as secondary documentation. Tertiary documentation from external or third parties may be requested in some cases. This would include educational or medical records, reports, and assessments created by health care providers, school psychologists, teachers, or the educational system.

Once the application and relevant documentation are submitted, it may be necessary to complete an Accommodation Plan which will list specific accommodations appropriate for the student to request. Accommodation Plans are emailed to instructors teaching the courses in which the student is enrolled. It is the responsibility of the student to contact each instructor regarding their Accommodation Plan. A face-to-face meeting is preferred, however, a phone call or email correspondence may be sufficient. The signed plan must be returned to Disability Services. The instructor and/or student may contact Disability Services at any time throughout the semester with any questions, concerns, or comments. Accommodation Plans may also be sent to the additional faculty/staff, as deemed appropriate.

Accommodation Plans will automatically be renewed every consecutive semester that the student enrolls. Students should make an appointment with Disability Services to review their Accommodation Plan to ensure it continues to meet their academic needs. A new Application for Disability Services must be completed upon re-enrollment if a student does not remain enrolled in consecutive semesters. A student may terminate their Accommodation Plan at any time by submitting a signed written request for termination of Disability Services to Disability Services.

Dual Enrollment/Concurrent Students

When a student with a disability, functioning under an IEP or 504 plan, is dually enrolled in both high school and college courses, it is the responsibility of the High School to notify the college and provide a copy of the student’s IEP or 504 plan to Disability Services if the student would like to receive accommodations. Disability Services will review the IEP or 504 plan to make modifications appropriate for college as provisions made at the high school level fall under different sets of rules and legislation.

The student will be receiving college credit for the course, therefore grading policies, workload, and attendance policies are non-negotiable. No modifications or reductions of any kind, such as reduction in multiple choice, elimination of essay, reduced assignments, etc. will be permitted. The student is going to earn whatever grade is received and it will be because he or she has demonstrated the same level of mastery and responsibility as any other student in that class receiving the same grade. At the post-secondary level, there is not much give in our refusal to jeopardize the academic integrity of coursework by watering down the curriculum or lowering evaluation standards used to assess student achievement, however, we can and will be very flexible when it comes to procedures used to access the accommodations we provide.

The responsibility of requesting academic accommodations typically falls on the student at the post-secondary level, however, we have found that this procedure has not been effective in the past for secondary students. Therefore, the procedures for requesting accommodations have been modified as follows for this demographic of students.

1. Upon enrollment of a secondary student with an IEP or 504 plan into a college course through either the Secondary Career Center or concurrent program, the high school should provide a copy of the IEP or 504 plan to Disability Services or Director of High School Programs.
2. Upon receiving IEP or 504 plan documents, Disability Services will review, make appropriate adjustments for the college curriculum, and create an Accommodation Plan which will take the place of the IEP or 504 plan for the college courses.
3. Once the Accommodation Plan is established it will be sent via email to the appropriate instructor and the Director of High School Programs who will then forward the Accommodation Plan to the appropriate high school counselor for documentation purposes.
4. Once the instructor receives the Accommodation Plan, he or she will meet with the student to review and sign the plan. Any questions or concerns should be addressed at this time. The Accommodation Plan with all signatures will be sent back to Disability Services to be kept in the students file for documentation purposes.
5. This procedure will need to be followed every semester a student is dually enrolled.
6. Students planning to attend UA Cossatot following high school graduation must follow normal Disability Services procedures for requesting accommodations. These procedures can be found on the UA Cossatot website at www.cccua.edu or in the student catalog/handbook.

Parental Involvement

Educational institutions are bound by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99), which is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Once a student enrolls in a concurrent or Secondary Career Center course, the FERPA rights transfer to the student, regardless of the age of the student, as they are attending a school beyond the high school level. Based on this, Disability Services WILL NOT communicate in any way with any parent of any student without one of the following:

1.  A current signed, dated, and verified FERPA Release form in the student file.
2.  Certified copy of court records documenting the legal guardianship of the student awarded to the parent.

Non-Credit Requesting Accommodations

Non-credit students participating in Adult Education, Continuing Education, or Workforce Development programs or services may request accommodations due to a disability by completing an Application for Disability Services for Non-Credit Students and providing relevant documentation.

Disability Services Grievance Procedures

If a student with a disability and a current accommodation plan finds necessary to file a formal complaint regarding an accommodation or the way in which an accommodation is provided they should follow the Disability Services grievance process.  

1. Student must schedule an appointment with Disability Services to discuss the complaint. The student will be asked to detail the grounds for the complaint, the sought remedy, and justification of the sought remedy based on valid and current documentation of disability. Disability Services has five business days to review documentation, investigate, and respond to the student.
2. If unsatisfied with the decision of Disability Services, the student may present the complaint to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Services in typed form which must include: details of the accommodation issue, sought remedy for the issue, and justification of sought remedy. The Vice Chancellor for Academic Services has five business days to review the written complaint, investigate, and respond in written form.
3. If unsatisfied with the decision of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Services, the student may re-appeal within five business days to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Services who must respond in writing within five business days.
4. If unsatisfied with the decision of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Services, the student may appeal within five business days to the Chancellor who will hear the complaint and render a decision within ten business days.

Formal complaints regarding disability-based discrimination or harassment should follow the grievance procedures for non-grade issues.