*Amended in Novem ber 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 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.
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.
The Seattle Community Colleges define student directory information as:
Exceptions to the directory-information-only restrictions are:
Colleges use the SSN / ITIN to report Hope Scholarship / 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 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 >
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 9-911 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 Community 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 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. Seattle Community College District Policy 249 (“Drug-Free Workplace”), as well as resources for students and employees who need assistance with substance abuse problems, are outlined in a brochure available on each campus and at www.seattlecolleges.edu/policies.aspx. MORE >
The possession of firearms on campus is not allowed.
Workplace violence or a hostile work environment will not be tolerated at the Seattle Community Colleges. (From Policy 451)
Sexual harassment of any kind is not tolerated at this institution. The Seattle Community College District (SCCD) is committed to providing a working and educational environment that is free from sexual harassment of any kind. It is not tolerated at this institution. All employees and students have the right to a working and educational environment free from sexual harassment. This institution defines sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Employees and students are encouraged to come forward with 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. (From Policy 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.
To ensure the health and well-being of our college community, and to be in compliance with state codes, the Seattle Community 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.
Phone (206) 205-7837 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m Email: Website: “Questions and Answers about HIV and AIDS” at www.metrokc.gov/health/apu/basic/index.htm
The Seattle-King County Health Department continually gathers information on SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). The Health Department emphasizes that the symptoms apply to people who have traveled to specific areas of the world within the last 10 days, or who have had close contact with those travelers. For the most current information, including a list of the affected areas, visit the Public Health Website at www.metrokc.gov/health/sars.
Your own health care provider or a Public Health Clinic can provide an examination. A list of clinics is available at www.metrokc.gov/health/insurance/clinics.htm.
Among resources available to students, faculty and staff is a Campus Alerts system that is used to send messages to cell phones and personal email addresses in case of a campus emergency or unplanned closure. To register for the system, go to https://alert.seattlecolleges.edu.
For more information about emergency communications and contacts, preparing for an emergency, and procedures for closure at the Seattle Community Colleges, go to www.seattlecolleges.edu/emergencies.aspx.
This is carried out within the overall goals and mission of the Seattle Community 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. www.seattlecolleges.edu/adacs.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 Community College Roy Flores, Vice President for Student Services , (206) 527-5668
Seattle Central Community College Lexie Evans, Associate Dean of Student Leadership , (206) 587-3890
Seattle Vocational Institute Gail Keefe, Manager, Student Services , (206) 587-6339
South Seattle Community College Mark Mitsui, Vice President for Student Services , (206) 764-5315
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.
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.
(back to top)
