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Student Rights & Responsibilites
West Kentucky Community & Technical College (WKCTC) is committed
to creating and maintaining a productive living and learning
community which fosters the intellectual, personal, cultural
and ethical development of its students. In turn, students are
expected to demonstrate self-discipline and respect for the
rights and privileges of others, traits the college community
considers essential to the educational process and to good citizenship.
The
majority of student rights and responsibilities are described
in the KCTCS Code of Student Conduct which serves as
a means of communicating to the student the rights, responsibilities,
and obligations of being a member of the college community.
The most current version of the Code of Student Conduct
is available electronically at http://www.kctcs.edu/student/studentcodeofconduct.pdf.
Hard copies of the Code of Student Conduct are available
in the Admissions Office and in the Advising Center. Students
may also use campus computer labs to print hard copies if needed.
Additional
rights and responsibilities are described in the KCTCS Catalog.
Hard copies of the KCTCS Catalog are available in the
Admissions Office and in the Advising Center. Students may also
access the KCTCS Catalog electronically at www.kctcs.edu/catalog.
Student
rights and responsibilities include the following:
Student
Responsibilities
Academic
Honesty
Student
Rights
Fundamental
Rights of Students
Academic Rights of Students
Crime Awareness and Campus Security
No Weapons Allowed on Campus
Disability Resources
Drug Use
Sexual Harassment
Privacy and Student Records
For
help understanding your rights as a student contact:
Teresa
Mayo, Interim Chief Student Affairs Officer
Teresa.Mayo@kctcs.edu
Anderson Technical Building, 204A
(270) 534-3388
Student
Responsibilities
Students
assume responsibility for observing and helping to maintain
standards of personal behavior that positively contribute to
the academic community. Students are also responsible for knowing
the college's regulations, disciplinary procedures, and penalties.
In addition to the college's regulations and disciplinary system,
students are subject to criminal statutes and legal action should
a violation of such occur.
Article
I, Section 1.1, The Basis for Standards in the College Community
of the Code of Student Conduct further defines the fundamental
concepts recognized as forming the basis for standards of conduct.
Academic
Honesty
Article
II, Section 2.1, Academic Honesty Policy of the Code of Student
Conduct notes that "The KCTCS faculty and students
are bound by principles of truth and honesty that are recognized
as fundamental for a community of teachers and scholars. The
college expects students and faculty to honor, and faculty to
enforce, these academic principles. The college affirms that
it will not tolerate academic dishonesty including, but not
limited to, violation of academic rights of students (section
2.0) and student offenses (section 3.0)."
Student
Rights
Fundamental
Rights of Students
Article
I, Section 1.2, Fundamental Rights of Students of the Code
of Student Conduct describes the following fundamental concepts
which are recognized as forming the basis for standards of conduct:
1.2.1
Right as citizens: As citizens, students enjoy the same freedoms
as are guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and
the Commonwealth of Kentucky and have the same duties and responsibilities
as do other citizens.
1.2.2
Right of admission and access: An applicant for admission to
the college shall not be discriminated against based on race,
color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age,
beliefs, political affiliation, or marital status. Moreover,
no otherwise qualified person with a disability will be denied
admission solely because of the person's disability. Similarly,
an application for, or recipient of, college financial aid,
a college grant-in-aid, or a college scholarship, shall not
be discriminated against nor be denied financial assistance
because of a person's disability.
1.2.3
Right of freedom to learn: The freedom of students to learn
and to evaluate ideas and concepts is basic to the educational
process and is dependent upon general conditions conducive to
the learning process in the classroom, on the campus, and in
the larger community. The responsibility to secure and respect
such general conditions is shared by all members of the academic
community.
1.2.4
Right of free expression: Students are free to discuss, to express
opinions, and to hear expression of opinion. Such expression
of opinions and discussions must be accomplished without disrupting
operations of the college. As part of the freedom to learn,
students hear the widest expression of opinion. Speakers invited
to the campus offer opportunities for the presentation and examination
of ideas. Such speakers represent their own points of view and
not those of the college, the sponsors within the college, or
the System.
1.2.5
Right to be evaluated: Students have a right to be evaluated
in courses solely on the basis of their performance in meeting
appropriate academic criteria established for the course. Additionally,
students have the right to participate in course evaluations
during the term of each course. Through this evaluation method,
the college has the opportunity to assess each course's content,
presentation, and effectiveness in a manner consistent to its
educational mission.
1.2.6
Right to form student organizations: Students are free to form
and join student organizations with other college students provided
such organizations are consonant with the purposes of the college
and conform to established college regulations and public laws.
1.2.7
Right of student access to meetings of registered student organizations:
The System affirms the right of all students, including members
of the student press, to attend meetings of registered student
organizations that receive the majority of their regular operating
budgets from allocations of student fees money and/or college
allocations.
Exceptions
to the foregoing right include:
a.
Deliberations of election boards and selection committees.
b. Contract negotiations of student organizations and
private contractors.
c. Discussions or hearings that might lead to the appointment,
discipline, or dismissal of an individual employee, member or
student without restricting that employee's, member's, or student's
right to a public hearing if requested, provided that this exception
is designed to protect the reputation of individual persons
and shall not be interpreted to permit discussion of general
personnel matters in secret.
"Meeting"
means any gathering of a quorum of the members, regardless of
where the meeting is held, whether a regular or special meeting,
including any informational or casual gathering held in anticipation
of, or in conjunction with, a regular or special meeting.
1.2.8
Right of fair disciplinary proceedings: In the administration
of disciplinary measures, the accused student shall be accorded
procedural fairness in accordance with the procedures set out
below and KRS 164.370. In such situations, whether formal or
informal, the fundamental principles of due process shall be
recognized and followed.
1.2.9
Right to a free student press: Student publications must be
free to deal openly and responsibly with issues of interest
and importance to the academic community. Student publications
will avoid such practices as the use of libel, undocumented
allegations, obscenity, attacks on personal integrity, deliberate
deceptions of its readers, unnecessary harassment and innuendo,
and other violations of individual rights. The editors shall
have the right to address issues of interest and importance
to the academic community. The editors shall have the right
to editorial freedom without the prior approval of copy and
will be protected against dismissal or suspension except for
violations of policies and regulations established by the System.
Academic
Rights of Students
Article
II, Section 2.2, Academic Rights of Students of the Code
of Student Conduct describes the six academic rights granted
to students. A student who believes any of the following academic
rights have been violated should refer to section 2.4 of the
Code of Student Conduct for information on the Student
Appeals process.
2.2.1
Information about course content: A student has the right to
be informed in reasonable detail in writing by the first or
second class session, or in the introductory materials for a
distance learning course, about the nature of the course and
to expect the course to correspond generally to its official
description.
2.2.2
Information about course grading criteria: A student has the
right to be informed in writing by the first or second class
session, or in the introductory materials for a distance learning
course, about the criteria to be used in evaluating the student's
performance, a course grading system that includes specific
expectations with relative weights, and to expect that the grades
described in the KCTCS Catalog will be used.
2.2.3
Contrary opinion: A student has the right to take reasoned exception
to the data or views offered in the classroom and laboratory
without being penalized. A student may appeal the fact of guilt
for all three faculty sanctions listed in 2.3.2.1. Also, a student
may appeal the severity of the sanction of a failing grade for
the course.
2.2.4
Academic evaluation. A student has the right to receive a grade
based only upon a fair and just evaluation of performance in
the course as measured by the standards presented at the first
or second class session or in the introductory materials for
a distance learning course. Grades determined by anything other
than the instructor's good-faith judgment based on such standards
are improper. Among irrelevant considerations are race, color,
religion, gender, disability, national origin, political affiliation,
sexual orientation, or activities outside the classroom that
are unrelated to the course work.
2.2.5
Academic records. A student has the right to have academic records
kept confidential unless the student consents in writing to
have them released. The chief executive officer or designee
may disclose the academic record of a student without the student's
consent to authorized college personnel if the information is
required for official use, such as advising students, writing
recommendations, or selecting candidates for honorary organizations.
2.2.6
Evaluation of student character and ability. A student has the
right to have character and ability evaluated only by individuals
with a personal knowledge of the student. Records containing
information about a student's character and ability shall indicate
when the information was provided, by whom, and the position
of the individual providing the information.
Crime
Awareness and Campus Security
WKCTC
adheres to federal and state regulations as required by the
Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus
Crime Statistics Acts and the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Michael
Minger Act. The reporting and security requirements set forth
in these acts enhance awareness of criminal types of behavior
on campus and require response to incidents in a timely manner.
The college makes available to all prospective students, current
students, and employees an annual security report. Copies of
this report and additional information regarding campus security
are available on the WKCTC Safety Website at http://www.westkentucky.kctcs.edu/geninfo/safety/.
No
Weapons Allowed on Campus
Weapons,
including concealed weapons, are not permitted on the college
campus.
Disability
Resources
WKCTC
is committed to providing equal educational opportunity and
full participation for persons with disabilities. It is the
KCTCS policy that no otherwise qualified person with a disability
be excluded from participation in any KCTCS program or activity,
be denied the benefits of any KCTCS program or activity, or
be subject to discrimination with regard to any KCTCS program
or activity. Any student with a disability who requires reasonable
accommodation should contact the Disability Resource Office
(DRO), located in room 106 of the Anderson Technical Building
or call (270) 534-3406 for assistance.
Drug
Use
WKCTC
is committed to providing a safe environment for students, faculty,
and staff. The following drug-free policy applies to all KCTCS
colleges:
Being
under the influence of alcohol or other drugs or the use, possession,
distribution, manufacture, or sale of illegal or unauthorized
drugs is prohibited and is punishable as a felony offense on
campus or within 1000 yards of campus. Conduct that violates
this definition, poses unacceptable risks, and disregards the
health, safety, and welfare of members of the KCTCS college
community shall result in disciplinary action up to and including
suspension or termination. The KCTCS Colleges are in compliance
with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and Drug-Free Schools
and Communities Act amendment of 1989.
Sexual
Harassment
WKCTC
is committed to providing a learning environment free from sexual
harassment. The following sexual harassment policy applies to
all KCTCS colleges:
All
KCTCS staff and students shall avoid offensive or inappropriate
behaviors. Sexual harassment - a form of sexual discrimination
- includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors
or other verbal or physical actions of a sexual nature when
submission to such conduct is made explicitly or implicitly
as a term or condition of the student's status in a course,
program or activity; or is used as a basis for academic or other
decisions affecting such student; or when such conduct has the
purpose or effect of substantially interfering with the student's
academic performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or
offensive academic environment.
Privacy
and Student Records
Article
I, Section 1.4, Provisions of the Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) of the Code of Student Conduct
fully describes the rights and restrictions regarding the maintenance,
inspection, and release of student records.
1.4.1
Access to records: In general, the records maintained by the
college are available only to the student, to college personnel
with legitimate educational interests, to other institutions
where the student is seeking financial aid, and to authorized
representatives of the Comptroller General of the U.S., the
Secretary of HEW, or an administrative head of an education
agency, in connection with an audit or evaluation of federally
supported programs, and as provided by Section 164.283 of the
Kentucky Revised Statutes. Students may inspect and review all
records pertaining to them within forty-five (45) days of making
requests for the same, except for 1) records created or maintained
by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other recognized
professional or paraprofessional acting or assisting in a professional
capacity in connection with the treatment of the student (except
that the student may have these records reviewed by a physician
or appropriate professional designated by the student), 2) financial
records of the parents, 3) confidential letters and recommendations
put in the files prior to January 1, 1975, and 4) confidential
recommendations relating to admission, application for employment,
or honors, if the student waived his or her right to review
such records. Where a particular record cannot be reviewed by
a student without revealing confidential information relating
to other students, the records custodian will inform the student,
upon request, of the contents of the record pertaining to that
student (see Section 1.4.1, #3.).
1.4.2
Procedures for challenge: A student who believes that any record
maintained by the college, the college district, or the Kentucky
Community and Technical College System pertaining directly to
that student is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise violative
of the right of privacy of the student as provided by Title
IV of Pub.L.90-247, as amended, and Pub.L.93-380 as amended
by Senate Joint Resolution 40 (1974), may request a hearing
before a panel of three persons appointed by the President of
the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. The panel
may direct that appropriate action be taken to correct, explain,
or expunge the record(s) challenged.
Requests
for hearings should be sent to the Kentucky Community and Technical
College System and will be addressed in a timely manner.
1.4.3
Directory information: In its discretion, a college or KCTCS
as appropriate, may provide Directory Information in accordance
with the provisions of the Act [Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act of 1974] to include: student name, address, telephone
number, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates
of attendance, degrees and awards received, the most recent
previous educational agency or institution attended by the student,
participation in officially recognized activities and sports,
and weight and height of members of athletic teams. Students
may withhold Directory Information by notifying designated officials
in writing within ten (10) calendar days from the first scheduled
day of class of the fall term. All written requests for non-disclosure
will be honored by the college for one (1) academic year. Requests
to withhold Directory Information must be filed annually thereafter.
(Administrative Policy 6.2.9 Directory Information)
1.4.4
Notifications of rights under FERPA for postsecondary institutions:
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act affords students
certain rights with respect to their education records. They
are:
1.
The right to inspect and review the student's education records
within 45 days after the college receives a request for access.
Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic
department, or other appropriate official, written requests
that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect.
The
college official will make arrangements for access and notify
the student of the time and place where 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.
2.
The right to "request for 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 as requested by
the student, 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
notified of the right to a hearing.
3.
The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable
information contained in the student's education records, except
to the extent FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
There
are, however, exceptions to the consent policy (Administrative
Policy 6.2.6) and the colleges reserve the right, as allowed
under the Act, to disclose education records or components thereof
without written consent to:
1.)
Personnel within the colleges who demonstrate a need to know
and who act in the student's educational interest including
faculty, administration, and professional employees and other
persons who manage students records;
2.)
Officials of other institutions at which the student seeks to
enroll, on the condition that the applicable college or System
makes a reasonable attempt to inform the student of the disclosure
at the student's last known address, unless the student initiated
the request to transfer;
3.)
Officials of other schools at which the student is currently
enrolled;
4.)
Persons or organizations providing the student financial aid
in order to determine the amount of, eligibility for, and conditions
of an award, and to enforce the terms of the award;
5.)
Accrediting organizations carrying out their accrediting functions;
6.)
Authorized representatives of the Controller General of the
United States, the Secretary of the Department of Education,
and state educational authorities only if the information is
necessary for audit and evaluation of federal or state supported
programs;
7.)
State and federal officials to whom disclosure is required by
state statute adopted prior to November 19, 1974;
8.)
Organizations conducting studies to develop, validate, and administer
predictive tests, to administer student aid programs, or to
improve instruction, so long as there is no further external
disclosure of personally identifiable information and the information
is destroyed when no longer necessary for the projects;
9.)
Parents of dependent students who have established the student's
status as a dependent according to Internal Revenue Code of
1954, Section 152 (as amended). This requires a certified copy
of the parent's most recent Federal Income Tax Form;
10.)
Persons in compliance with a judicial order or a lawfully issued
subpoena if reasonable effort is made to notify the student;
and
11.)
Appropriate persons in a health or safety emergency, so long
as (1) there is a serious threat to the student or others, (2)
the knowledge of the information is necessary to meet the emergency,
(3) time is of the essence, and (4) the persons to whom the
information is disclosed are in a position to deal with the
emergency.
4.
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education
concerning alleged failures by the college, college district,
or the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to comply
with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the
Office that administers FERPA are:
Family
Policy Compliance Office, U.S.
Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
For
instructions on accessing student records, please go to the
WKCTC Access to Student Records web page at http://www.westkentucky.kctcs.edu/geninfo/stuacctaccs.shtml.
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