*Amended in November 1996 ( by the Improving American Schools Acts of 1994 )
The FERPA federal law affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records.
The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the college receives a request for access. Students should submit written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official. The college official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place that the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the college official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. A student who wishes to ask the College to amend a record should write the college official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the College decides not to amend the record, as requested, the College will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of a right to a hearing.
The right to provide written consent before the College discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure with our consent. The College discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the College has contracted or is assigned to provide a service instead of using College employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, collection agent, or a clinical, intern, or extern site); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the College.
In addition, upon request, the college discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The office administering FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20202-5901.
Directory information includes:
Exceptions
For more information regarding student rights, students should contact the Registration office on each campus.
Colleges use the SSN / ITIN to report American Opportunity Tax Credit / Lifetime Learning tax credit, to administer state-federal financial aid, to verify enrollment, degree and academic transcript records, and to conduct institutional research. Pursuant to state law (RCW 28B.10.042) and federal law (Family Rights and Privacy Act), the college will protect the student’s SSN from unauthorized use and/or disclosure.
If a student does not submit a SSN / ITIN, the student will not be denied access to the college; however, the student may be subject to civil penalties (refer to Internal Revenue Service Treasury Regulation 1.6050S-1(e)(4) for more information).
Students should use the same caution as they would in any public place in taking care of their personal safety and personal belongings.
Students are obligated to respect the rights of others and to refrain from any actions endangering the health, safety, and welfare or property of others. Students are expected to comply with the policies, procedures & regulations approved by the Board of Trustees and the Washington State and federal regulations. MORE >
Statistics on criminal incidents, as required by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, are available at college safety/security offices, as well as on individual campus websites. Data the last three years, along with general information, can be found at the following site – ope.ed.gov/Security. This informational service is provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education.
View instructions on how to easily find information on the above site: MORE >
The students’ well-being and safety are of utmost importance. It is vital that everyone follow strict safety procedures recommended in all classes, particularly professional-technical classes. In the event of an on-campus accident or injury, students and faculty should report the accident to the Security Office so the injury can be addressed and an accident report completed. Do not hesitate to immediately call 911 for serious injuries. Instructors must be notified if the accident occurs during class. MORE >
Alcohol and drugs are prohibited. The district prohibits the abuse of alcohol and the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession and use of illicit drugs. This policy applies to all employees and students of the Seattle Colleges while they are on District property or while they are conducting college business, regardless of location. To provide a healthy, safe, and secure working and learning environment, each employee and student of the Seattle College District is expected to be in an appropriate mental and physical condition to perform assigned duties and fully participate in the learning process. Seattle College District Policy 249(“Drug-Free Workplace”) is detailed at http://seattlecolleges.edu/district/policies/documentdisplay.aspx?policyID=pol249. Resources for students and employees who need assistance with substance abuse problems, are outlined in a brochure available on each campus and in the two printable PDFs below: Flier: SCCD Drug Policy (Nov. 2010) http://www.nida.nih.gov/drugpages.html MORE >
The possession of firearms on campus is not allowed.
Workplace violence or a hostile work environment will not be tolerated at the Seattle Colleges. (From Policy 451)
The Seattle College District (SCD) is committed to providing a working and educational environment that is free from sexual harassment of any kind. It is not tolerated at any District institution. All employees and students have the right to a working and educational environment free from sexual harassment. This institution defines sexual harassment as unwelcom sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Employees and students are encouraged to report their concerns or complaints about sexual harassment. Retaliation against any individual for making a complaint about or cooperating in a sexual harassment is not permitted. Student complaints regarding sexual harassment shall be processed in accordance with District Policy and Procedure 419. MORE >
Smoking is prohibited indoors, and within 25 feet of the entrance to any public building, per Washington state law.
State motor vehicle laws and the Seattle traffic code apply to campus traffic. Campus speed limit is 15 mph unless otherwise posted.
Disciplinary action will be taken against students who violate standards of conduct established by the college. If informal procedures do not resolve the issue, formal committee proceedings may be initiated.
To ensure the health and well-being of our college community, and to be in compliance with state codes, the Seattle Colleges provide the following resources for information about transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the causative factor leading to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Complete and current information about specific risk factors for HIV/AIDS is available through the following sources at the Seattle/King County Department of Health. HIV/AIDS Program 400 Yesler Way, 3rd Floor Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206.296.4649 Website: “Questions and Answers about HIV and AIDS” at www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/communicable/hiv.aspx MORE >
Among resources available to students, faculty and staff is SeattleColleges Alerts, which is powered by Rave Mobile Safety. These alerts allow the colleges to communicate quickly with students and employees during weatherrelated delays, closures and other campus emergencies, by sending alerts to computers and mobile devices, via email and text message. seattlecolleges.edu/alerts.
For more information about emergency communications and contacts, preparing for an emergency, and procedures for closure at the Seattle Colleges: seattlecolleges.edu/district/emergencies/workplace911.aspx.
This is carried out within the overall goals and mission of the Seattle Colleges Policy and Procedure 387 “Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Disabilities.” To be eligible for disability-related services, students must have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Under the ADA and Section 504, a person has a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities (walking, standing, seeing, speaking, hearing, sitting, breathing, and taking care of oneself).
Legal Authority: U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act (P.L. 93-112) and RCW 49.60.
On each campus, Disability Support Services is the designated office that obtains and files disability-related documents, certifies eligibility for services, helps determine academic adjustments, and consults for the provision of such accommodations. Academic adjustments are provided to ensure access to all community college courses, programs, counseling, activities, and facilities.
Disability Support Services provides or arranges a variety of auxiliary services to the community college, such as sign language interpreters, assistive technology, exam modifications, and academic assistance. Auxiliary requests such as Brailing or books on tape are to be requested at least 6 weeks in advance. There may be a delay in services with less notification. Request for interpreting services with less than four week’s notice for ongoing classes can result in delayed services. At least 3 business days are required for special requests/one time services and at least a week’s notice for high profile events.
The Disability Support Services Office offers consultation to faculty, staff, and classified employees of the college for the purpose of designing accommodations that provide equal access to otherwise qualified students regardless of age, gender, race, or sexual orientation. seattlecolleges.edu/district/studentlife/ada.aspx.
Statistics and information on the Completion and Transfer Rates at each college are available at the following college websites:
View all SCC policies.
Every reasonable effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, readers are encouraged to contact the college regarding current and approved information. For further information, please contact:
North Seattle College Vice President for Student Services 206.934.5668
Seattle Central College Lexie Evans, Associate Dean of Student Leadership Email Lexie Evans, 206.934.3890
Seattle Vocational Institute Manager, Student Services 206.934.6339
South Seattle College Vice President for Student Services 206.934.5315
Before pursing formal action, students are encouraged to first pursue an informal resolution. Students have 15 calendar days from the end of the informal process or 90 days from the cause of the complaint to submit a formal complaint. Contact the respective Complaints Officer at each campus for further information.
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Board Member Institution of the League for Innovation