Notices to Students

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The Student Rights and Responsibilities publication is an official bulletin of Amarillo College that contains the Student Code of Conduct, Disciplinary Procedures, policies on confidentiality of student records, student grievance procedure, campus procedures, Substance Abuse Prevention Program and information on the Student Assistance Program. It provides a concise statement of policies, regulations and procedures.

The College reserves the right to make changes at any time to reflect current board policies, administrative regulations and procedures, and amendments of state law. Students are urged to study the contents of this publication carefully, for they are responsible for observing these regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in disciplinary action. Copies are available at all Assistance Center counters, or under “Current Students” at www.actx.edu.

In order to comply with Federal Consumer Information Regulations, Amarillo College provides the following information regarding academic graduation rates and the incidence of certain reportable crimes which may occur on campus.

The most recent graduation rate information for Amarillo College may be accessed via the AC website at: http://sites.actx.edu/~iresearch/databook/databook.htm.

The Amarillo College Police Department has been given the responsibility of assisting victims of both violent and non-violent sexual crimes on campus or while participating in approved College off-campus activities. Victims assistance in the form of counseling, medical referral and legal help can be obtained through the Police Department, 371-5163. Any form of unwanted sexual activity should be reported to the Police Department of the Associate Dean for Enrollment Management, 371-5024. Amarillo College reports criminal offense statistics to the U.S. Department of Education on an annual basis. Crime statistics for Amarillo College may be accessed online at: http://ope.ed.gov/security/search.asp. Information on sex offenders in the State of Texas may be obtained at: http://records.txdps.state.tx.us/dps web/Portal/index.aspx.

In accordance with Texas Education Code §54.014 (§54.068 renumbered in 2005), students who have attempted 45 or more credit hours beyond the amount required for their degree at Texas public colleges or universities may be charged additional tuition, up to the level of out-of-state tuition. This includes all credit hours in which a student was registered as of the official census day for the semester (i.e. repeated courses, failed courses, and courses from which the student withdrew after census day); this does not include credit hours for which the student paid out-of-state tuition courses designated as developmental, any hours removed from admission consideration under Academic Fresh Start (Texas Education Code §51.931), or hours accumulated toward a previous baccalaureate degree. Students who entered higher education for the first time prior to fall 1999 while classified for tuition purposes as a Texas resident are exempt.

Students enrolling in fall 2006 or later may pay a higher tuition rate if they have attempted 30 or more credit hours beyond the amount required for their degree.

Amarillo College is committed to providing an environment free from illegal drugs and alcohol. The College has established a program to prevent the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by both students and employees, as well as to inform all persons associated with the College concerning the health risks and potential legal penalties associated with substance abuse. Complete copies of the College’s policy are published in Amarillo College’s Student Rights and Responsibilities booklet which is available from the Dean of Student and Academic Development Office.

Amarillo College is an equal opportunity community college. It is the policy of Amarillo College not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws in its educational and vocational programs, activities or employment. For information about your rights or grievance procedures, contact the Director of Human Resources, Lynn Thornton (371-5044, SSC 280), who has been designated the compliance coordinator for Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, as amended, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the related regulations.

Any student who believes he or she has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability by the institution or its personnel may informally discuss the complaint with the Dean of Student and Academic Development or Dean’s Designee with the objective of reaching a reasonable solution. The Dean or Dean’s Designee shall advise the student of his or her options in the situation and notify the Affirmative Action Officer of the College.

If the aggrieved student believes the complaint has not been resolved, he or she may submit a written complaint stating name, nature and date of the alleged violation, names of persons responsible (where known), names of any witnesses, and requested action within 30 working days of the date of the informal discussion to the Dean or Dean’s Designee. As dictated by circumstance, the Dean or Dean’s Designee shall ensure that the aggrieved student’s rights to due process procedures are honored. If a hearing is held, the Affirmative Action Officer and the Dean or Dean’s Designee will conduct the hearing.

The Affirmative Action Officer and the Dean or Dean’s Designee will consult with College legal counsel and render a decision, in writing, on the complaint within 10 working days. If this decision is not to the student’s satisfaction, he or she may appeal the decision to the Associate Dean, Enrollment Management within 10 working days of the receipt of the written decision according to procedures outlined in the Board Policy Manual.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

• 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 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.
  
• The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that student believes is inaccurate. Students may ask the College to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. 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. 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.
  
• 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 without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. 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); a person or company with whom the College has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Regents; 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 responsibility. 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 name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:

  Family Policy Compliance Office
  U.S. Department of Education
  400 Maryland Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC 20202-4605

Directory information within a student’s record which may be released upon request at the discretion of the College includes:

• Student’s name
  
• Participation in officially recognized activities
  
• Address
  
• Telephone listing
  
• Electronic mail address
  
• Photograph
  
• Degrees, honors, and awards received
  
• Date and place of birth
  
• Major field of study
  
• Dates of attendance
  
• The most recent educational agency or institution attended.

If a student does not wish for this public information to be released, he/she is responsible for notifying the Registrar’s Office, located in the Student Service Center, in writing by the 12th class day each regular semester and by the 4th class day of the summer term.

Amarillo College recommends that students entering this institution be fully vaccinated prior to enrollment and preventative vaccinations be taken when required. The consequences of not being fully immunized for diphtheria, rubella, mumps, tetanus and poliomyelitis are severe. An outbreak of any of these diseases can have a devastating impact on the campus community. Immunization is an integral part of preventative health care.

All students majoring in the health-care fields must provide documented proof that they have been fully immunized prior to program admission. Students in Allied Health and Nursing programs should consult with their program chairs regarding mandatory immunization requirements.

For additional immunization information, you are encouraged to contact your family physician, the county health department, or the Immunization Division of the Texas Department of Health.

Amarillo College does not provide health insurance for students. However, information from various insurance carriers is kept on file in the Associate Dean, Enrollment Management Office for students to review for individual purchase.

The 77th Texas Legislature requires that all public institutions of higher education notify all new students about bacterial meningitis and to obtain confirmation from the students that they received the information.

This information is provided to all new college students in the state of Texas. Bacterial Meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress extremely fast - so take utmost caution. It is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacteria that causes meningitis can also infect the blood. This disease strikes about 3,000 Americans each year, including 100-125 on college campuses, leading to 5-15 deaths among college students every year. There is a treatment, but those who survive may develop severe health problems or disabilities.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

• High fever
  
• Severe headache
  
• Rash or purple patches on skin
  
• Vomiting
  
• Light sensitivity
  
• Stiff neck
  
• Confusion and sleepiness
  
• Nausea
   
• Lethargy
  
• Seizures

There may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots caused by bleeding under the skin. These can occur anywhere on the body.

The more symptoms, the higher the risk, so when these symptoms appear seek immediate medical attention.

HOW IS BACTERIAL MENINGITIS DIAGNOSED?

• Diagnosis is made by a medical provider and is usually based on a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory results from spinal fluid and blood tests.
  
• Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve the likelihood of recovery.

HOW IS THE DISEASE TRANSMITTED?

• The disease is transmitted when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing, or by sharing drinking containers, utensils, cigarettes, toothbrushes, etc.) or come in contact with respiratory or throat secretions.

HOW DO YOU INCREASE YOUR RISK OF GETTING BACTERIAL MENINGITIS?

• Exposure to saliva by sharing cigarettes, water bottles, eating utensils, food, kissing, etc.
   
• Living in close conditions (such as sharing a room/ suite in a dorm or group home).

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISEASE?

• Death (in 8 to 24 hours from perfectly well to dead)
  
• Permanent brain damage
  
• Kidney failure
  
• Learning disability
  
• Hearing loss, blindness
  
• Limb damage (fingers, toes, arms, legs) that requires amputation
  
• Gangrene
  
• Coma
  
• Convulsions

CAN THE DISEASE BE TREATED?

• Antibiotic treatment, if received early, can save lives and chances of recovery are increased. However, permanent disability or death can still occur.
  
• Vaccinations are available and should be considered for:
  
  
  • Those living in close quarters
     
  • College students 25 years old or younger


• Vaccinations are effective against four of the five most common bacterial types that cause 70 percent of the disease in the U.S. (but does not protect against all types of meningitis).
  
• Vaccinations take 7-10 days to become effective, with protection lasting three to five years.
   
• The cost of vaccine varies, so check with your health care provider.
  
• Vaccination is very safe - most common side effects are redness and minor pain at injection site for up to two days.
  
• Vaccination is available from local health care providers.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION?

• Contact your own health care provider.
   
• Contact your local or regional Texas Department of Health office at 655-7151.
  
• Contact web sites: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo; www.acha.org.

The Texas Education Code provides for tuition rebates of up to $1,000 to undergraduate students who complete their baccalaureate degree with a minimum of “excess” courses. You may qualify for this rebate if:

• you enrolled for the first time in the Fall of 1997 or later,
  
• you request your rebate for your first baccalaureate degree received from a Texas public university,
  
• you were a resident of Texas while attempting all of your course work at Texas public institutions,
  
• you attempted no more than three semester credit hours in excess of the minimum required for your degree.

This rebate will be given by the institution granting the baccalaureate degree, not by Amarillo College. Some credit hours earned exclusively by exam may be excluded.

For more information go to: http://collegefortexans.com