Page 32 - Raritan Valley Community College 2018-2019 Student Handbook

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Appeals of College Policy: Non-Academic
The College establishes policies and procedures for all students. However, there may be times when a situation is unique or different from other students and an exception should be made. This may be particularly true for students with an extended illness or serious family event. If you have a situation you feel warrants an exception, submit a RVCC Tuition/Withdrawal Appeal Form which is available online, or from the Office of Enrollment Services on the first floor of the College Center. This form should be submitted with a letter of explanation and any supporting documentation to the Office of Enrollment Services. A College Appeals Committee meets monthly and will respond to you in writing once the decision is made.
If the appeal relates to a grade, please see the previous academic appeals section of this handbook. There is a separate procedure for grade appeals and academic complaints.
Bullying and Intimidation
Harassment, intimidation, or bullying in gesture; or any written, verbal or electronic communication that is motivated by actual or perceived characteristics such as race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and may be a violation of Title Vii of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and/or Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments. Students should report bullying to the Assistant Dean of Student Services in C-143.
The Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 protects the privacy of education records, establishes the right of students to inspect and review their education records, and provides guidelines for contesting information in these records that is believed to be inaccurate or misleading.
Students have the right to inspect and review all of their education records maintained by the College. The College is not required to provide copies of records unless it is not reasonably convenient for students to inspect their records.
Students have the right to request that the College correct records believed to be inaccurate or misleading. If the College decides, in response to such a request, not to amend a student’s record, the student has the right to a formal hearing before the Dean of Student Services. After the hearing, if the College maintains its position that the student’s record should not be amended, the student has the right to enter a statement into his/her records commenting on the contested information.
The College will not release any confidential information from a student’s record without the written consent of the student, except for releasing information to:
• College officials with a legitimate educational interest
• Other institutions at which a student intends to enroll
• Certain government officials for the purpose of carrying out their lawful functions
• Appropriate parties involved with the awarding of financial aid to a student
• Organizations conducting appropriate research for the College
• Accrediting agencies
• Individuals who have obtained appropriate court orders or subpoenas
• Persons who have need for the information in cases of health and safety emergencies