Policies
Equal Educational and Employment Opportunity Policy
Educational opportunities are offered by the Dallas County Community College district without regard to ract, color, age, national origin, religion, sex, disability or sexual orientation. The college provides equal opportunity in accord with federal and state laws. Equal educational opportunity includes admission recruitment, extra-curricular programs and activities, access to course offerings, counseling and testing, financial aid, employment, health and insurance services and athletics. Existing administrative procedures of the college are used to handle student grievances. To file a grievance, refer to the student grievance procedure in the catalog.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."
- Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.
- Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.
- Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):
- School officials with legitimate educational interest;
- Other schools to which a student is transferring;
- Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
- Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
- Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
- Accrediting organizations;
- To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
- Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
- State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.
Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a PTA bulletin, student handbook, or newspaper article) is left to the discretion of each school.
For additional information or technical assistance, you may call (202) 260-3887 (voice). Individuals who use TDD may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.
Or you may contact us at the following address:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5920
Student Consumer Information Services
Pursuant to the Educational Amendment of 1980, Public Law 96-374, the college provides all students with information about its academic programs and financial aid available to students.
Student Right-to-Know Act
Under the terms of the Student Right to Know Act, the college maintains and updates on an annual basis, student persistence, graduation rates, transfer rates and other relevant statistics. To obtain copies of these reports, contact the District Office of Research. College crime statistics may be obtained from college police/security offices. (Published in compliance with the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act: Public Law 101-542.)
Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act
All coeducational institutions of higher education that participate in any Federal student financial aid program and have intercollegiate programs must provide information concerning their intercollegiate athletics programs under the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act of 1994, Section 360B of Public Law 103-382. This Act and accompanying federal regulation requires that intercollegiate athletics information be made available for inspections by students, prospective students and the public. The college web site or Physical Education office can provide this information.
Drug-Free School and Communities Act
To satisfy the requirements of the "Drug Free Schools and Communities Act," the colleges and facilities are committed to creating an educational and work environment free from use of distribution of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol. The college prohibits the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its property or as part of any of its activities. Information and confidential referrals concerning counseling and treatment programs for drug and alcohol abuse may be obtained from the Counseling/Advisement Center, Health Center, and location Human Resources Office
Standard of Conduct
As a college student, you are considered a responsible adult. Your enrollment indicates acceptance of the published Code of Student Conduct.