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College CatalogGetting Started | Rights and Responsibilities
Confidentiality Records
Students are protected against improper disclosure of their records.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)* is designed to protect the privacy of
a student’s educational records, and applies to all schools which receive funds from the U.S. Department
of Education. Information about Seattle Community Colleges students is collected, maintained, and used to
meet the college’s educational objectives. Students are protected against improper disclosure of their
records. These rights begin with the first day of class and extend to all former students.
*Amended in November 1996 by the Improving American Schools Act of 1994.
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Student Rights and Educational Records
The 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 amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are
inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the college to amend a record that they believe is
inaccurate or misleading. They should write the college official responsible for the record, clearly
identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If
the college decides not to amend the record, the college will notify the student of the decision and
advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional
information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when he or she is notified
of a right to a hearing.
- The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s
education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure with consent. One exception
which permits disclosures without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational
interests. School officials have a legitimate educational interest if they need to review an education
record in order to fulfill their professional responsibility. A school official is a person employed by the college
in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law
enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the college has
contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, national student loan clearinghouse, legal counsel, or
collection agency); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official
committee, such as disciplinary or grievance committee, or who is assisting another school official
in performing his or her tasks.
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.
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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, 600 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605.
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Student Directory Information
Students may request that the college not release directory information by notifying the Registration
Office. This request to withhold directory information will remain in effect until rescinded by the student. The
Seattle Community Colleges define student directory information as:
- Student's name
- Email address
- Enrollment status in the college
- Date(s) of enrollment
- Area of study
- Awards granted by the college
- Participation in official sports activities, and
- Weight and height of athletic team members.
Exceptions
Exceptions to the directory-information-only restrictions are:
- Judicial subpoena of records, upon condition that the college makes a reasonable effort
to notify the student in advance of release of records.
- Emergency situations, if knowledge of personal information is necessary to protect the health
or safety of a student or other person(s).
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Additional Information
For more information regarding student rights, students should contact the Registration Office on each campus.
Student Identification Numbers
Students are assigned individual student identification numbers (PIN numbers) for use in college transactions
such as web-based services and other student services.
To comply with federal laws, the colleges are required
to ask for the student's Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Colleges use the SSN/ITIN to report Hope Scholarship/Life Time 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).
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Student Safety
| Central |
(206) 587-5442 |
| North |
(206) 527-3636 |
| South |
(206) 763-5157 |
| SVI |
(206) 587-4933 |
Accidents
The students' well-being and safety are of utmost importance.
It is vital that everyone follow strict safety procedures recommended in 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 9—911 for serious injuries. Instructors must be notified if the accident occurs during class.
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Personal Safety
Students should use the same caution as they would in any public place in taking care of their
personal safety and personal belongings.
Helpful campus information and statistics on personal safety are available at the Security Office,
as well as at the Office of the Registrar, Financial Aid Office, and Student Leadership Office.
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Policy on Drugs
To provide a healthy, safe, and secure work and learning environment, each employee and student of the
Seattle Community College District is expected to be in an appropriate mental and physical condition
to perform assigned duties and fully participate in the learning process.
The Policy on Drugs, effects of commonly abused drugs, and resources for assistance are outlined in a
brochure available at a variety of locations on campus, including Student Activity Center, the Library,
Information Center, Admissions Office and the Wellness Center.
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Sexual Harassment
Brochures outlining policy and procedures regarding sexual harassment complaints are also available at the
locations listed above.
Transmission of HIV and Prevention of AIDS
The Seattle Community College District provides the following resources for information
To ensure the health and well-being of our college community, and to be in compliance with state codes,
the Seattle Community College District provides 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.
Seattle / King County Department of Health.
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m
Phone: (206) 205-7837
Email: hivstd.info@metrokc.gov
Website: Questions and Answers about HIV and AIDS
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Student Complaints
The Seattle Community College District has established
procedures to assist students who feel they have a complaint
relating to grades or an action by a member of the
college community.
The district policies and procedures related to student complaints at the Seattle
Community Colleges are:
Each campus has a designated Complaints Officer:
| Central |
Associate Dean of Student Leadership |
(206) 587-3890 |
| North |
Director of Human Services |
(206) 526-7792 |
| South |
Dean of Diversity, Retention & Student Leadership |
(206) 768-6749 |
| SVI |
Manager of Student Services |
(206) 587-2948 |
Before pursuing formal action, students are encouraged to first pursue an informal resolution. Students have 15 calendar
days from the end of the informal process or within 90 days of 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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Student Responsibilites
Students are expected to comply with the policies, procedures and regulations established by the Board of
Trustees. 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.
The Seattle Community College 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 Community Colleges
while they are on District property or while they are conducting college business, regardless of location.
State motor vehicle laws and the Seattle traffic code apply to campus traffic. The campus speed limit is 15 miles per hour.
The possession of firearms on campus is illegal.
The Seattle Community Colleges follow the Washington state law which prohibits smoking within 25 feet of the entrance to
any public building. Smoking is prohibited indoors.
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.
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