ARTICLE III

ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

SECTION 1.  GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY

The vice-president for instructional services has administrative responsibility for establishing procedures which are necessary to fulfill the intent of these policies.  Administrative procedures are available on request from the vice-president for instructional services.  The vice-president for instructional services shall establish such administrative procedures as will enable the Academic Progress Review and Health Professions Review Committees to carry out their duties.

SECTION 2.  ATTENDANCE AND CLASSROOM DECORUM

A. Students are expected to attend all scheduled class periods for the courses in which they are enrolled unless they are participating in a scheduled, supervised College trip or function or unless they have been called for military duty, jury duty, or subpoenaed as a witness during regular school days.  (See item "E" below.)  There is no acceptable number  of class "cuts."  All absences must be made up in a manner acceptable to the instructor.

B. A student who is absent from a class for three consecutive meetings or who is excessively absent as defined by the course syllabus or instructor, without prior approval, may be required by the instructor to meet with the appropriate adminis­trator before being readmitted to the class.  Students who claim illness as a cause for excessive absences may be required to present a physician's statement before being readmitted to class.

C. In order to provide a classroom environment that is conducive to teaching and learning, behavior (conduct or comments) which is disruptive to this environment will not be tolerated.  Students are also expected to maintain proper classroom decorum as pertains to personal electronics devices such as, but not limited to, cell phones, beepers, pagers, palm pilots, camera phones, and other similar devices.  In addition to the rules of behavior contained in this handbook, faculty members are authorized to establish reasonable rules of classroom conduct and decorum. Students who violate these rules may be subject to administrative withdrawal—dropped from a class with a grade of “W” if passing or “WE” if failing but without a refund of tuition.  (SEE APPENDIX A, CLASSROOM CONDUCT.)

D. A student who has extensive absences due to illness, hospitalization, or a death in the family should notify his or her faculty, when possible, or, if necessary, the dean for student services.

E. Students will be allowed to make up work for classes missed while on a scheduled, supervised College trip or function, a death in the immediate family, or for classes missed while fulfilling military obligations, while serving on jury duty, or for serving as a witness in court.  Students should personally notify an instructor prior to an absence unless the instructor specifies that another College staff member (e.g., a club sponsor, coach, activities director) may notify him or her of the student’s prospective absence.  Students who have been summoned for jury duty must present a copy of the official notification or the subpoena to the instructor prior to the absence.  Procedures for implementing this policy are as follows:

1. The student will notify the instructor in person not later than one class meeting prior to the absence.

2. The student should request from the instructor work that can be made up prior to the absence.

3. Examinations and other assignments that cannot be done prior to the absence will be made up at a time mutually agreed upon by the student and the instructor.  This should be done no later than the end of the semester.

4. Students who fail to complete class work due to absences while participating in College-sponsored extracurricular activities will be given an incomplete grade and will have one semester to complete the course.  Students who are absent due to military callup will also be given an incomplete grade and will have one semester to complete the course after their return.  

SECTION 3.  GRADES

A.  Grading System

     1.   Grading symbols are as follows:

          A - Excellent      5 grade points

          B - Good           4 grade points

          C - Average       3 grade points

          D - Poor           2 grade points

          E - Failing        1 grade point (no credit)

INC   -   Incomplete.  May be made up at the dis­cretion of the instructor.  The maximum time for making up an "INC" is one semester; otherwise, the student must repeat the entire course in order to gain credit.  The incomplete grade will remain on the transcript if the course is not completed or retaken after one semester.  No grade points/no credit/ no penalty.

W     -   Authorized withdrawal no later than the last day of the twelfth week of the se­mest­er.  No grade points/no credit.

WP    -   Authorized withdrawal after the twelfth week of the semester with a passing mark.  No grade points/no credit.

WE    -   Authorized withdrawal with a failing mark after the twelfth week of the semester.  Same as an "E" - 1 grade point/no credit.

AB    -   Unauthorized withdrawal.  Same as an "E" - 1 grade point/no credit.

AU    -   Audit.  No credit.

DEF   -   Deferred.  Used only for students en­rolled in open-entry/open-exit classes in which the work is of a continuing nature.  No grade points/no credit.  A grade may be deferred for a student until the next semester.  At the end of that semester, a grade other than “DEF” shall be given in the course.

PR    -   Denotes proficiency.

R     -   Denotes repeat course.

P     -   Pass (credit, but no grade points) - for pass-fail classes.

F     -   Fail (no credit, no grade points) - for pass-fail classes.

S     -   Satisfactory (credit, but no grade points).

CR    -   Credit (a temporary designation for stu­dents enrolled in foreign study).  Once a grade is received, the CR designation will be replaced by the permanent grade.

2. Grading Requirements for Nursing Program:  A grade of "C" or better must be earned in each associate degree nursing and practical nursing course for a student to complete any particular course successfully.

3. Students must also earn a grade of “C” or better in English 101 and 102 and in mathematics 113, 120, 131, 202, and 209

4. Course Repeats:  A student may repeat a course only one time in an attempt to improve a "D," "WE," "AB," or "E" grade for a given course.  The student has the option of petitioning the dean for student services for permission to repeat the course an additional time.

In instances where a student repeats a given course, the higher grade received by the student will count in the computation of the student's overall grade-point average.  In cases where a "W," "WP," or "INC" is received as a result of a student repeating a course, the previous grade in that course will not be marked out and will continue to be used in the overall grade-point average.

B. Appeal of Course Grade

A final course grade may be appealed if the student believes the grade is inaccurate or inappropriate for any of the following reasons:

1. if the grade was given for non-academic reasons;

2. if inconsistent grading standards were used to grade members of the same class;

3. if the instructor altered the grading procedure established in the course syllabus;

4. if the instructor deviated from his/her grading policy as established in the course syllabus;

5. if an explanation of the method for determining the grade was not given;

6. if the final grade was lowered because the student missed an examination due to a pre-approved College function, and was not permitted to make up the exam; or

7. if the grade was improperly computed.

C.   Grade Appeal Procedures

1. It is strongly recommended that the student contact the instructor to verify the correctness of the grade.

2. If the student wishes to pursue an appeal, s/he should complete the Student Grade Appeal Form (see Appendix B).  Attach to the form a copy of the course syllabus, as well as copies of any other documents that support the appeal, such as graded exams, assignments, transcripts, etc. Students should forward original copies of pertinent information and also make and retain separate copies for their own files. The student should be prepared to demonstrate that the grade given was not accurate or was not appropriate.

3. The completed form and other documents should be submitted to the department chair or associate dean within 15 calendar days of the start of the next semester. (See Appendix B for offices to contact.)

4. The student will receive a written response within 10 calendar days.  If the appeal is determined by the administrator to have merit, it will be forwarded to the dean for instruction.  At this time, the instructor is contacted and asked to provide written justification for the grade.

The dean will decide within 10 calendar days whether to:  1) support the existing grade; 2) support the appeal and submit a Change of Grade form; or 3) forward the appeal to the vice-president for instruction.  The student will be notified of the dean’s decision.

5.  If either the student or the instructor is dissatisfied with the dean’s decision, a written appeal to the vice-president for instructional services may be taken within 5 days of the receipt of that decision.

6.  The vice-president shall, within 10 calendar days of the receipt of the appeal, convene a meeting of the College’s Grade Appeal Committee for the purpose of considering the appeal.  The Grade Appeal Committee will meet to review the appeal and decide to support the existing grade, or support the appeal and submit a Change of Grade form.  The student will be notified of the Committee’s decision within 10 calendar days of the review.

7. The president and Board of Trustees, in that order, may, at their option, consider the appeal further.  Such appeal must be made in writing to the president, or Board of Trustees, in that order, by the student within 10 calendar days from the last response to the appeal or the last attempt to appeal.

SECTION 4.    SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS, ACADEMIC WARNING, ACADEMIC PROBATION, AND ACADEMIC SUSPENSION

A.   Satisfactory Progress

To be classified as being in "satis­factory academic progress," each full-time or part-time student is required to do the following:

1. maintain regular class attendance as determined by the instructor; and

2. meet the following cumulative grade-point averages:

B.   Academic Warning

Students who are placed on "academic warning" are encouraged to do the following:

1. see their academic advisor for assistance;

2. seek help through the Student Success Center or Student Services Office;

3. go to the Career Development Office for possible     changes in career goals; and

4. enroll in developmental classes if necessary. 

Students placed on "academic warning" are still considered to be achieving "satisfactory academic progress" and are eligible for Pell Grants and scholarships issued through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

C.   Academic Probation

Students who fail to meet the academic requirements for either "Satisfactory Academic Progress Standing" or "Academic Warning Status" are placed on "Probationary Status."  The specific grade-point average classifications for this standing are as follows:

      

Students on "probation" for more than one semester are ineli­gible for Pell Grants and scholarships issued through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Any student who is placed on academic probation is required to schedule an appointment with a counselor in the Student Success Center , the Career Development Office, or the Student Services Office.  The purpose of this appointment will be to review the student's academic progress and formulate a plan to deal with the situation.

Adherence to the plan is mandatory.  The student may be required to meet one or more of the following requirements:

1. enroll in recommended developmental courses, if necessary;

2. enroll in the Student Success Center Program, if necessary;

3. achieve the grade-point average required for satisfactory academic progress standing for work taken during subse­quent semesters;

4. reduce the class load to 12 semester hours or less; and

5. meet on a regular basis with a counselor, if necessary.

Exceptions to this policy will be made at the discretion of the dean for student services or the vice-president for administration.

D.   Academic Suspension

Failure to meet any of the aforementioned procedures will result in academic suspension subject to appeal to the Academic Progress Review Committee.  Academic suspension is a state of involuntary separation of the student from the insti­tution for a period of one calendar year.

Students may also be suspended from clinical or practicum situations for unsafe performance.  See Article III, Section 6-A, pp 27–28.

E.   Appeal of Academic Warning, Probation, or Suspension

Decisions involving the placement of students on academic warning, academic probation, or suspension based on the re­quirements of this section may be appealed as follows:

Instances involving academic warning or probation may be appealed in writing to the Academic Progress Review Committee through the vice-president for administration within ten (10) calendar days of the notification by the vice-president for administration.  The Academic Progress Review Committee will review the appeal and respond to the student in writing within ten (10) calendar days of the appeal.  Further appeals may be made within ten (10) calendar days to the president of the College.

Instances involving academic suspension will be heard by the Academic Progress Review Committee.  Further appeals may be made within ten (10) calendar days to the president of the College who may, at his/her option, consider the appeal further.  Subsequent appeals may also be made to the Board of Trustees, which, at its option, may consider the appeal further.

F.   Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Recipients

1. Students applying for and receiving federal and state-funded financial aid must be enrolled in a specifically declared program of study and must be making satisfactory academic progress in that pro­gram.  Furthermore, such programs of study must lead to the completion of an associate degree, transfer equivalent, or certificate of achievement.

2. An associate degree or transfer program must be completed in 93 attempted hours and certificate programs in 45 attempted hours.

3. A certificate of achievement program must be completed in two years or 150 percent of degree requirements.

4. Summer session enrollment is counted as an enroll­ment period.

5. According to the United States Department of Education regulations and Illinois Student Assistance Commission policy, a student applying for federal and/or state financial assistance must be pursuing a degree or certificate and must maintain satisfactory progress in his/her course of study to receive these funds.

Students must be making “financial aid academic progress” regardless of whether the student had previously received aid.  All prior terms of attendance are included in the evaluations.  Courses from other colleges that have been accepted for credit by John A. Logan College will be considered in determining eligibility.  Students who have not previously received financial aid may not be notified of their status until they have applied for financial aid.

A.   Progress Requirements

A student is considered to be making financial aid satisfactory academic progress if both of the following conditions are met:

(1) the cumulative GPA is at least 3.0

AND

(2) the cumulative completion rate (hours earned divided by all hours attempted) is at least 67%.  (See Item D below.)

A student who fails to maintain the required cumulative GPA or cumulative completion rate, or both, will be placed on financial aid probation for one semester.

B.   Financial Aid Probation

If, after the financial aid probation semester, the student achieves a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above AND a cumulative completion rate of at least 67%, the student will be making “financial aid satisfactory academic progress.”

If, after the financial aid probation semester the student does not have BOTH the required cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above AND a cumulative completion rate of at least 67%, the student may remain on financial aid probation if:

(1) the semester GPA is at least 3.0

                  AND

(2) the semester completion rate is 100%.

If, after the financial aid probation semester, the student does not return to financial aid satisfactory academic standing or qualify to remain on financial aid probation, the student will be placed on financial aid suspension.

C.   Financial Aid Suspension

Students may regain financial aid satisfactory academic progress after they have enrolled in, paid for, and completed enough courses to bring their cumulative GPA up to a 3.0 and their cumulative completion rate up to 67%.  Students may appeal financial aid suspension status if extenuating circumstances contributed to their lack of academic progress.

D.   Completion of Classes

Courses graded with “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “P,” are considered completed.

Courses graded with “I,” “W,” “E,” “AB,” “DEF,” “WE,” or “WP” are not considered to be completed.

Courses that have been repeated remain in the completion rate, but the original grades are excluded from the GPA.

This calculation is based on all hours attempted regardless of whether a student received financial aid for all those hours.

E.   Maximum Time Frame

Students have 93 attempted hours in which to complete a degree program and 45 attempted hours to complete a certificate program.  Students who have received a bachelor’s degree may also be considered to have exceeded the maximum time frame for completion at John A. Logan College . Students that have received a bachelor’s degree must contact the Financial Aid Office if they feel the hours transferred to John A. Logan College are not applicable to the current program they are seeking.  The student’s records will be reviewed by an admissions counselor to verify appropriate transfer hours for the current program.

Students who have changed programs and/or have obtained prior degree(s) or certificate(s) may make a written request for additional time in which to complete their current program of study.

John A. Logan College understands that students may change their educational goals and program of study, and that additional education is often needed to enhance career opportunities.  These students may complete the request for a reevaluation to document these situations.

F.   Suspension

Students who have been suspended from financial aid for academic reasons lose their eligibility for all federal, state, and most other types of aid, including grants, scholarships, student work, and loans.  Students may re-establish eligibility for financial aid by reinstatement or the appeal process.

G.   Reinstatement

Students may regain satisfactory academic progress after they have enrolled in, paid for, and completed enough courses to bring their cumulative GPA up to at least a 3.0 and their cumulative completion rate up to at least 67%.

Students who have been suspended for academic reasons and are attempting reinstatement should request, in writing, that they be reinstated after the semester in which these conditions have been met.  The Financial Aid Office is not responsible for automatically reinstating a student who may have met the reinstatement conditions.

A student will normally not be granted reinstatement if the maximum time frame to complete a program has been exceeded.  Financial aid eligibility for students who have exceeded the maximum time frame can only be reinstated if a request for reevaluation of the maximum time frame has been submitted and approved.

H.   Appeal

Students who have been suspended from financial aid may make a written appeal for reinstatement of financial aid eligibility if extenuating circumstances have contributed to their inability to meet the requirements for satisfactory progress.

Extenuating circumstances must exist and be addressed for all semesters in which the student failed to meet financial aid satisfactory academic progress standards.

Students who do not meet the above criteria and/or cannot thoroughly document such situations must reestablish satisfactory academic progress through reinstatement before any additional federal, state, or institutional aid will be disbursed.

I.   The Appeal Process

(1) The student submits a completed appeal packet to the Financial Aid Office to the attention of the director of financial aid.  (See below for instructions on completing the appeal packet.)

(2) The complete appeal packet is presented to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee for review.

(3) The student is notified in writing of the committee’s decision and recommendations.

J.   The Appeal Packet

The appeal packet should be clearly marked with the student’s full name and Social Security number and should contain the following:

(1) A letter of appeal describing:

(A) The reasons for past performance difficulties.  An explanation must be given for each semester in which the student failed to meet financial aid satisfactory academic progress standards.  Documentation should be included to support all reasons stated, or the appeal will not be presented to the committee.

(B) How the situation is being handled or has changed.

(C) The student’s degree plans and career goals.

(2) A course outline showing classes needed to graduate, dated and signed by a John A. Logan College counselor.

(3) Academic transcripts from any educational institution previously attended (after high school).

Students granted an appeal may receive limited assistance.

SECTION 5.  GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

A.   Degrees Granted

The following associate degrees are granted by John A. Logan College :

          Associate in Applied Science

          Associate in Arts

          Associate in Engineering Science

          Associate in General Studies

          Associate in Science

B.   General Requirements

1. complete 20 semester hours of credit in residence with an overall grade-point average of 3.0;

2. satisfactorily complete all specific degree requirements; and

3. apply for graduation and pay the required graduation fee (also applies to Certificates of Achievement).

C.   Degree Requirements

1. The Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and  Associate in Engineering Science degrees are available to each student who meets the requirements of a college transfer program.  The degree requirements are outlined in the current John A. Logan College Catalog.

2. The Associate in Applied Science and Associate in General Studies degrees will be awarded to graduates completing an approved two-year career curriculum.

D.   Certificate Requirements

The Certificate of Achievement will be granted to students who complete a board-approved certificate program with a 3.0 overall G.P.A. Residency requirements for career certificates and short-term certificates are that no less than ten semester hours of credit must have been achieved at John A. Logan College, excluding CLEP and proficiency credits.  If the certificate is less than 15 semester hours, 3 semester hours of courses must be completed at John A. Logan College .

E.   Waiver of Academic Requirements

1.  Institutional Responsibility

In order to maintain the integrity of the College's academic programs, special criteria for admission to certain courses and curricula must be set, minimum requirements for retention of student status must be defined, and requirements for com­pletion of curricula and awarding of degrees must be set.  For such standards to be meaningful, they must be realistic, and adherence to them is presumed.  However, in recognition of the fact that there may be extenuating circumstances or compensating factors in a particular case, appeals for waivers of specific graduation requirements may be made through a student's advisor to the vice-president for instructional services.  All waivers of required courses in any College program and all authorizations for substituting certain courses in lieu of specific program requirements must be approved by the vice-president for instructional services.  The vice-president’s written approval for a waiver must be filed with the Admissions Office prior to the student’s formal graduation check. 

2. Student Responsibility

In order that academic requirements may be protected and applied in an effective and reasonable manner, each student has the right to request an exception to the requirements only if the circumstances are extremely unusual and compelling.  Likewise, the student is obligated to follow the appeal procedures specified and not seek to circumvent them.

SECTION 6.  REGULATIONS REGARDING HEALTH AND SAFETY

A.   Unsafe Clinical or Practicum Performance

1.   Instructor Authority to Remove Students from Clinical or Practicum Situations

An instructor may temporarily remove a student from a clinical situation if it is determined by the instructor that the student's continued presence would unduly disrupt the learning process or endan­ger the physical or psychological well-being of the other students, clinical or practicum employees, patients or clients.  If feasible, a temporary removal of a student from a clinic should be communicated orally and in writing simultaneously.  The reasons for the removal actions should be clearly stated.  If prompt action makes it difficult to communicate orally and in writing simultaneously, then such removals should be followed by a written communication as soon as possible.  All such incidents must be reported to the vice-president for instructional services and the appropriate associate dean, coordinator, director, or department chair in writing as soon as possible.  Any student removed from a class may be readmitted to that class only by the vice-president for administrative services.

2.   Authority of the Vice-President for Administrative Services to Suspend Students from Clinical or Practicum Situations for Unsafe Performance

a. Temporary Clinical or Practicum Suspensions

The vice-president for administrative services is authorized to temporarily suspend students from clinical or practicum situations on the basis of student performance judged to be unsafe.  Temporary suspensions are limited to 3 consecutive school days.  Suspensions for more than 3 consecutive school days shall be made by the vice-president for administration after conferring with the vice-president for instruction.

b. Suspensions from Clinical or Practicum Situations for Unsafe Clinical or Practicum Performance

This is a sanction of involuntary separation of the student from a class involving a clinical or practicum situation for a definite period of time by the administration for unsafe performance as defined in Article A, Section 6 (above).  A student may be suspended under this provision only on a recommendation of the instructor, the chair of a department, the coordinator, the director, the associate dean, dean for instruction, and vice-presidents for administrative and instructional services.  Any students so suspended shall be assigned grades which would have been appropriate if they had withdrawn voluntarily.

3.   Appeal of Clinical or Practicum Suspensions

Decisions involving the suspension of students from clinical or practicum situations for reasons of unsafe performance may be appealed as follows:

Any student suspended from a clinical or practicum situation for reasons of unsafe conduct may appeal to the Health Professions Review Committee, which has original jurisdiction in all such matters.  The appeal should be in writing and made through the vice-president for instructional services within 10 calendar days of the suspension.  The hearing before the Health Professions Review Committee will be held not fewer than 5 calendar days following the receipt of the written request for appeal.  Subsequent appeals may be made within 10 calendar days to the president of the College who may, at his/her option, consider the appeal further.  Subsequent appeals may be made to the Board of Trustees, the members of which may, at their option, consider the appeal further.

B.   Students with Chronic Infectious Diseases

Students with identified chronic communicable diseases may attend normal school functions, including classes, when­ever, through reasonable accommodation, the risk of transmission of the identified disease and/or the risk of further injury to the identified student is sufficiently remote in such a setting as to be outweighed by the detrimental effects resulting from the students' exclusion from these normal school functions.  Placement decisions will be made using this standard in conjunction with current, available public health department guidelines, i.e., county, state and federal, and the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta , Georgia , concerning the particular disease in question.  Individual incidents will not be prejudged; rather, decisions will be made based upon the facts of the particular case.  The determination of whether a student with a chronic communicable disease may attend the College shall be made in accordance with procedures implemented by the College.

The College shall respect the right to privacy of any student who has a chronic communicable disease.  The student's medical condition shall be disclosed only to the extent necessary to minimize the health risks to the student and others.  The number of personnel aware of the student's condition will be kept at the minimum needed to assure proper care of the student and to detect situations in which the potential for transmission of the disease may increase.  Persons deemed to have "a direct need to know" will be provided with the appropriate information; however, these persons shall not further disclose such information.

Students identified as having a chronic communicable disease(s) will have the rights and responsibilities outlined in this handbook, and any special treatment of such students will be in accordance with the guidelines.

Any disciplinary action, reassignments, or other necessary or desirable changes in the status of a student with a chronic infectious disease will be handled with the strictest confidentiality, on an individual basis, and in accordance with existing law and College policy.

Medical records relevant to the case of any student identified as having a chronic communicable disease(s) may be requested by the College to become a part of the file of such cases.

Any student with an identified chronic communicable disease, where some action in regard to that disease is taken by the College, will have all appeal procedures available to him or her as contained in College policy, and, in the event such procedures may not be clear to the student, satisfactory procedures will be worked out between the College and the student.

C.   Substance Abuse

1. John A. Logan College views drug or substance abuse, including alcohol abuse, as having a debilitating affect upon a person's physical and emotional well-being.  Further, in accordance with the existing law, and sound educational practice, the College strongly discourages drug or substance abuse by any of its students.  The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance, including alcohol, is prohibited in and on John A. Logan College-owned or -controlled property, in settings where the College has a contractual arrangement for education, housing, or transportation, and on any College-sponsored off-campus trip or activity of an educational nature.  Any John A. Logan College student determined to have violated this policy may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension.  In addition, a student receiving financial aid may lose that assistance.  The use of alcohol while on John A. Logan College-owned or -controlled grounds, including meal periods and breaks, is absolutely prohibited except when authorized by the College for approved College functions.

2. Smoking Regulations

Smoking is not permitted inside campus buildings.  Smoking is permitted out-of-doors in designated areas.

D.   Child Abuse and Sex Offenders

A student whose name appears on the Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) or Child Sex Offender/Fingerprint Check will not be allowed to participate in any observation or teaching activities in the College preschool.  Those already engaged in observation or teaching activities will be suspended.

E.   Appeal from CANTS or Child Sex Offender/Fingerprint Check

1. Interview with instructor. Instructor will complete the Information Sheet for CANTS at F. below.

2. The student will submit a written explanation detailing why he/she is a safe caregiver of young children in Logan Preschool or any other JALC class activity involving any child care facility.

3. The student will sign a Student Release of Information form for JALC to discuss with DCFS.  See G. below.

4. Optional:  Written support of student by employer or DCFS caseworker may be attached to the student’s written explanation.

5. The Preschool Appeal Committee will meet within 10 calendar days of receiving the written explanation and make a determination of student’s ability to continue in the CCT 160 lab or any other JALC class activity involving any child care facility.  A written determination will be mailed to the student.  The Preschool Appeal Committee will consist of the early childhood education instructor, the preschool coordinator, associate dean for health and public service, and dean for instruction.  The dean for instruction or the associate dean must be in attendance for any decision to be rendered.

6. The student may appeal the committee results by writing to the vice-president for instruction within ten (10) calendar days.

F.   Information Sheet for CANTS

Student Name                                   

Social Security Number                         

1.   The nature of the abuse or neglect with which the student was identified, including whether the abuse or neglect resulted in serious injury or death to a child or children.

2. The circumstances surrounding the commission of the abuse and/or neglect, including the age of the perpetrator and the child(ren), that would demonstrate the unlikelihood of repetition.

3. The period of time that has elapsed since the abuse and/or neglect occurred and whether prior incidents of child abuse or neglect have been indicated against the individual.

4. Whether the abuse or neglect involved a single or multiple child victims.

5. The relationship of the incident of child abuse or neglect to the individual’s current lab responsibilities within the preschool.

6. Whether the individual has been convicted of a criminal offense that might have bearing on the evidence of the individual’s ability to function in a child care facility as a student.

7. Evidence of the individual’s rehabilitation such as employment, education, participation in therapy since the indicated incident(s) of abuse or neglect.

G.   Student Release of Information, Early Childhood Education

I,                 , Social Security Number              , do hereby give permission for Department of Children & Family Services to communicate any and all information in regards to Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) and Child Sex Offender Registry Check and/or Fingerprint Check to the John A. Logan College associate dean for instruction.

Signature                    Date     

SECTION 7.  Regulations Regarding Student Records and                     Graduation Rates

A.   Rights Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act affords all students certain rights with respect to their educational records.  These rights are as follows:

1. the right to inspect and review the student's own educational records;

2. the right to request the amendment of the educational records to insure that they are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy or other rights;

3. the right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's educational records, except to the extent that the law authorizes disclosure without consent;

4. the right to file with the U.S. Department of Education a complaint concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of the law; and

5. the right to obtain a copy of the College's student records policy.  Students may obtain a copy of the policy from the dean for student services.

B.   Release of Directory Information

John A. Logan College may make accessible to certain persons, businesses, and organizations external to the College certain directory information concerning a student, unless that student notifies the Office of Admissions and Records that he/she objects to the release of such information.  Directory information is considered to be public in nature and will be released at any time upon request without prior approval from the student.  Directory information will be available to parents, spouses, legal guardians, electronic and print media, legislators, high schools, institutions of higher education, potential employers, civic organizations, and other legitimate groups and individuals as determined by the College, unless the student files with the Office of Admissions and Records a written request to restrict release of student directory information to external sources.

Directory information includes the following:  student name, student local and home address and telephone number, e-mail address, date of birth, current term hours carried, classification (freshman, sophomore, etc.), major, dates of attendance, degrees and honors earned and dates, the most previous education agency or institution attended, participation in officially recognized activities or sports, and height and weight, as well as pictures of members of athletic teams or students participating in academic or extracurricular activities at John A. Logan College.

C.   Rights To Obtain Graduation Information

Students may obtain information on graduation rates from the Office of Admissions.

SECTION 8.  Regulations Regarding the Use of Electronic                   Information Systems

It is the policy of John A. Logan College to comply with all lawful provisions regarding the use of electronic information systems, including computers and electronic mail and such things as software and Internet usage.

A.  Computer Usage, Privacy Issues, and Ethics

John A. Logan College provides electronic information systems to its staff and students.  These resources include computer systems, College data sets, and communications networks.  Staff and students may use these resources only for purposes related to their studies, instruction, official business with the College, and other College-sanctioned activities.  Any other use, unless specifically authorized, is prohibited.

Access to the College’s electronic information systems is a privilege.  Certain responsibilities accompany that privilege; understanding them is important for all users.  Those within the College who make use of these resources are subject to high ethical standards to insure the privacy, security, and proper use of data.  Recognized as a primary educational, research, and administrative asset, the College’s electronic information systems should be protected from unauthorized modification, distraction, disruption, or disclosure -- whether accidental or intentional. All users of the College’s electronic information systems are expected to comply with the following policies and expectations of the College.

1.  User Responsibility for Security of Stored Information

The user is responsible for correct and efficient use of the tools each electronic information system provides for maintaining the security of stored information.

(a) The microcomputer user must be aware of computer viruses and other destructive computer programs, and endeavor to take steps to avoid being either their victim or propagator.

(b) Use of computers by individuals implies that they accept responsibility for protecting any information (processed and/or stored under directories or accounts assigned to them) that is derived from restricted, licensed, or proprietary information.

2.  Privacy

While the College will make every reasonable effort to protect the privacy of electronically stored information (including that of the Family Federal Rights and Privacy Act), the user of the electronic information systems should realize that the College cannot guarantee absolute privacy of such stored information or files.

3. Inappropriate Usage

Computing and networking resources may be used only in accordance with accepted College practice.  Examples of inappropriate and unacceptable use of computing and networking resources include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Harassment of other users, including, but not limited to, communication of offensive or disruptive messages.  Offensive messages may contain sexual implications, racial or ethnic slurs, gender-specific comments, or other comments that offensively address someone’s age, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, national origin, or disability. 

(b) Destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to the College or other computer and networking users.

(c) Disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic     communications.

(d) Violations of computer system security.

(e) Unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes, or network identification numbers assigned to others.

(f) Use of computer and/or network facilities in ways that    impede the computing activities of others.

(g) Use of computing and/or network facilities for profit-oriented or business purposes unrelated to the mission of the College.

(h) Violation of copyrights and software license agreements.

(i) Violation of the usage policies and regulations of the     networks of which the College is a member or has     authority to use.

(j) Violations of another user’s privacy.

(k) Academic dishonesty such as cheating and plagiarism (using another person’s words or ideas without   appropriate documentation).

(l) Accessing, or attempting to access, another individual’s or entity’s data or information without proper authorization regardless of the means by which this access is attempted or accomplished.

(m) Giving another individual the means to access data or     information he or she is not authorized to access.

(n) Obtaining, possessing, using, or attempting to use   passwords or other information about someone else’s    account.

(o) Inspecting, modifying, distributing, or copying data,     mail, messages, or software without proper authorization, or attempting to do so.

(p) Tapping phone or data lines.

4.  Using Internet by Students or Patrons under 18 Years of   Age

Internet users who are less than age 18 may be asked to have a permission form signed by a parent or guardian.

B.  Electronic Mail

1. Privacy

The College considers electronic mail to be a confidential, direct communication between sender and receiver(s).  Accordingly, it should not be monitored, observed, viewed, displayed or reproduced in any form by anyone other than the sender or intended recipient(s).  E-mail users should exercise the same restraint and caution in drafting messages that they would when writing a formal memorandum using College letterhead and assume that their messages will be saved and be seen by someone other than the original addressee.  Users should be aware that information stored on the College’s equipment whether on a computer hard drive, computer disks or in any other manner may be examined by College personnel in the course of an investigation triggered by indications of unacceptable behavior or as necessary to locate needed information that is not readily available by some other means.  The contents of computers and electronic mail, properly obtained for a legitimate purpose, may be disclosed within or outside of the College by the College if deemed by the College to be necessary or appropriate.

2.  Exceptions to Privacy Policy

College e-mail addresses are considered directory information and may be disclosed to the public. Electronic mail may also be disclosed to others with a need to know under law and College policy.  Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Incidental disclosure to technicians or supervisors during maintenance or repair procedures.

b. Disclosure to internal or external auditors pursuant to their audit programs.

c. Disclosure to adverse parties in civil lawsuits pursuant to mandated discovery procedures or to attorneys for the College for use in preparing a defense against such suits.

d. Disclosure to administrative, regulatory, or law     enforcement authorities discharging their mandated    functions, or to attorneys for the College for use in defending against charges or sanctions.

e. Disclosure made for the purpose of resolving internal disputes, including, but not limited to, those arising under grievance policies; parking and traffic regulations; student conduct codes; academic admissions, retention, grading, and degree awards policies or practices; patent and copyright policies; indemnification policy liability and self-insurance programs; electronic information systems policies, and any external appeals of unresolved internal disputes.

C.  Computer Software Usage

It is the policy of the College to comply with provisions of the Federal Copyright Act and other lawful rights or restrictions applying to the acquisition, use, reproduction, and distribution of computer software programs.  The copyright holder is given certain exclusive rights, including the right to make and distribute copies.  Title 17 of the U.S. Code states that it is illegal to make or distribute copies of copyrighted material without authorization (Section 106).  The only exception is the user’s right to make a backup copy for archival purposes.

The law protects the exclusive rights of the copyright holder and does not give users the right to copy software unless a backup copy is not provided by the manufacturer.  Unauthorized duplication of software is a federal crime.  Penalties include fines up to and including $250,000, and jail terms of up to five (5) years.

It is the policy of this College that no person shall use or cause to be used in the College’s microcomputer laboratories or College offices any software which does not fall into one of the following categories:

1. It is in the public domain.

2. It is covered by a licensing agreement with the software author, authors, vendor or developer, whichever is applicable.

3. It has been donated to the College and a written record of a bona fide contribution exists.

4. It has been purchased by the College and a record of a bona fide purchase exists.

5. It has been purchased by the user.

6. It is being reviewed or demonstrated by the users in order to reach a decision about possible future purchase or request for contribution or licensing.

7. It has been written or developed by a College employee for the specific purpose of being used in the College’s facilities.

It is also the policy of the College that there be no copying of copyrighted or proprietary programs on computers belonging to the College, except for making backup copies as described in the Copyright Act.  No recording device (digital tape, magnetic media, or any other media) shall be installed temporarily or permanently on any computer by unauthorized persons.

D.  Violations and Punishments

Violation of the policies described herein will be dealt with seriously.  Violators are subject to disciplinary procedures of the College and, in addition, may lose the use of College electronic information systems.  Illegal acts involving the College’s electronic information facilities may also be subject to prosecution by state and federal authorities.