CHAPTER VII

STUDENT SERVICES

B7.1 Counseling and Advising: Offices are located on both the East and West campuses. A full range of counseling services is provided by persons licensed for the practice of counseling or for the practice of psychology.

A7.1.1 Advisement: Course and degree advisement at Del Mar College is a service of high priority. The service is delivered through a decentralized model with teaching faculty responsible for advising students with declared majors and counselors responsible for advising students who are undeclared or undecided about their major.  
A7.1.1.1 Advisement activities for the College are administered by the Coordinator of Advising who reports to the Director of Counseling.

A7.1.1.2 The goal of advisement is to assist the student in forming and achieving an educational goal.

  A7.1.1.3 A substantial collection of educational, career, and testing resources is available in the Counseling Offices.   A7.1.2 External Testing: Testing activities external to the classroom are coordinated and administered by the Coordinator of Testing who reports to the Dean of the Weekend College and Special Projects..  
A7.1.2.1 Testing services include, but are not limited to, (a) tests required for entrance or placement in college classes; (b) tests required for certification and licensure; (c) General Education Development (GED); (d) correspondence examination; (e) tests for counseling or special purposes.   A7.1.2.2 A schedule of currently approved fees for testing services is available in the Counseling and Testing Offices on either Del Mar campus. B7.2 Financial Aid: A full range of financial aid services is available to students. Funding comes from the federal government, the State government, the College, and public and private sources. A7.2.1 Grants: The following grants, which are awards of money with no repayment being necessary, are available for students who attend at least on a half-time (½-time) basis and who have established financial need.  
A7.2.1.1 Pell Grant is a federal aid which may be combined with other forms of aid to help students meet the cost of education.   A7.2.1.2 Leveraging Education Assistance Program is a grant that combines Federal and State funds to assist students. Students must be eligible to pay Texas tuition, demonstrate financial need, and be an undergraduate.   A7.2.1.3 Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant is a federal grant program that can provide up to $2,000 per academic year for a student's education.   A7.2.1.4 Del Mar Student Grant is designed to provide money for tuition and fees.

A7.2.1.5 Toward Excellence, Access, and Success (TEXAS) Grant Program is a State funded grant available to Texas residents who graduated with the recommended or advanced high school curriculum.  Students must receive their first disbursement of this grant within sixteen (16) months of graduating from high school.

  A7.2.2 Loans: The majority of the educational loans available to students are long-term, low-interest loans, on which the student does not start making repayments until the student has ceased to carry a one-half-time (½-time) course load.  
A7.2.2.1 Direct Student Loan Programs are long term loans made through the U.S. Department of Education. The College determines the student's loan eligibility and originates the loan information to the Loan Origination Center. The student must sign a promissory note and must attend a Loan Entrance Counseling session before loan proceeds may be received. Students must be enrolled on a half-time basis and be making satisfactory academic progress.   A7.2.2.2 Emergency Short-Term Loan is a local loan fund established to assist students with payment of tuition and fees during the summer terms. Students may borrow up to $150 and must pay the loan within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the funds.   A7.2.3 Scholarships: Money provided by foundations, organizations, memorial funds, individuals, and businesses is awarded to students on the basis of scholastic achievement and, in some instances, financial need.  
A7.2.3.1 General Scholarships are available to academic, technical, and occupational education students who exhibit high scholastic achievement; financial need is a consideration in some of the scholarships.   A7.2.3.2 Music Scholarships are awarded by the Department of Music; applicants should contact this office.   A7.2.3.3 Health Science Scholarships are available to students enrolled in the health science programs; applicants should contact the Financial Aid Office.   A7.2.4 Employment: All student jobs on campus are coordinated by the Financial Aid Office, where students should report first to fill out necessary forms and submit the appropriate financial statement by the deadlines in the catalog. Determination of eligibility is made by the  Financial Aid Office .  
A7.2.4.1 College Work-Study Program is a federal campus-based aid program that provides part-time employment for students with financial need and with at least half-time (½-time) enrollment.  
A7.2.4.1.1 During regular enrollment periods, which means the period of time during the academic year when classes are in session, a student may not work more than fifteen (15) hours per week without prior approval by the Financial Aid Office. Work-study employees are paid minimum wage with the exception of the America Reads Tutors.   A7.2.4.1.2 Only students currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment in the fall may work full-time in the summer. Students attending Del Mar during the summer only are not eligible for work-study employment.   A7.2.4.1.3 An assignment slip refers a work-study student to a supervisor, who has requisitioned a worker for a designated number of hours per week.   A7.2.4.1.4 Instructions for acceptance, termination, and evaluation will be provided by the Financial Aid Office at the appropriate times.

A7.2.4.1.5 Texas College Work-study Program is a State Funded work program similar to the Federal program. Students must be Texas residents in order to work under Texas College Work-study.
 

 A7.2.4.2 Student Assistance Employment is a part-time employment program for currently enrolled students who are not required to show financial need, although preference will be given to students who have an established need, but who are not on work-study because they do not meet the limited-fund requirement.   A7.2.4.2.1 During regular enrollment periods, a student may not average more than fifteen (15) hours per week without special permission from the Financial Aid Office; during non-enrollment periods, a student may not work more than forty (40) hours per week without prior approval of the Department Chair and the Financial Aid Office. Students are paid minimum wage unless they have prior approval from the Dean of Student Development.   A7.2.4.2.2 Instructions for acceptance, termination, and evaluation will be provided by the Financial Aid Office at the appropriate times.   A7.2.4.3 Student Employment Records: The supervisor and the student complete and sign a color-coded time report and turn it in to the  Financial Aid Office on the last day of the month.   A7.2.4.3.1 A record is kept on a sign-in, sign-out time sheet; any deviation from the normal fifteen (15) hours per week is shown on the time report, for example, overtime (with prior approval).   A7.2.4.3.2 Payment is made on the fifteenth (15th) of the month for the prior month's work. Federal minimum hourly wage will be paid for all jobs. A7.3 Retention: Positive student retention efforts being vitally important to the success of the College Mission, this policy affirms the commitment of this open-door institution to use every reasonable means to encourage students to remain enrolled and make regular progress toward realizing the full potential of their abilities. A7.3.1 Encouragement of Student Retention: All employees of Del Mar College are expected to demonstrate respect for each student and to seek reasonable ways to encourage the retention of students and to facilitate each student’s success.

A7.3.2 Services: Retention efforts include, but are not limited to, the maintenance of a positive classroom environment, effective advisement, efficient recruitment and registration, personal and career counseling, new student orientation, mentoring, workshops, and specially-designed courses.
 

A7.3.2.1 Revisions Adopted July 19, 2004: To meet the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) and to promote the retention and success of all students, Del Mar College provides a systematic process of advising designed to meet the needs of all students. All first-time students must meet with the staff of the Department of Counseling, Advising and Special Services or with an academic advisor in their major for the purpose of developing long-range and short-range educational/career goals and assessing individual strengths and weaknesses. Students who have chosen a major will meet with a faculty advisor from their major. Students with undeclared and liberal arts majors will continue to work with staff in the Department of Counseling, Advising and Special Services to develop career decision-making strategies. This systematic process of advising will provide students with (a) support and critical retention information such as educational and career counseling; (b) advice regarding courses and programs; (c) recommendations for success workshops, seminars, and small group presentations; (d) and referrals to academic departments and other offices.

A7.3.2.2 Revisions Adopted July 19, 2004: Staff and in the Department of Counseling, Advising and Special Services will assist Department Chairs and departmental faculty advisors with information and resources, and will coordinate their advisement  activities with those of teaching faculty.

A7.3.2.3 Revisions Adopted July 19, 2004: Faculty advising should include the mentoring of students, helping them to develop their education plans, providing them with materials, schedules, policies, and transfer criteria, and referring them to other student services when appropriate.

A7.3.2.4 Department Chairs should ensure that their faculty are thoroughly informed of their responsibilities as student advisors in their disciplines. This may be done through inservice workshops within the individual departments or collectively through the various programs of the College.

 B7.4 Special Record Registration: The administration may permit special record registration for the purpose of establishing a transcript at Del Mar College. Application for exception or waiver of any of the following regulations must have the recommendation of the Registrar, and the appropriate Dean, and the approval of the Vice President of Instruction and Student Development. B7.4.1 Time: Such registration will he held any time during regular office hours except during regular registration times.

B7.4.2 Eligibility: Registration will be permitted only to those persons who wish either to convert to semester hours credit previous non-credit bearing studies in which the applicant has appropriate professional certification or to take advanced standing examinations and receive credit for courses offered in the current catalog.

B7.4.3 Cost: The cost of special registration will be the same as the minimum tuition.

B7.4.4 AA/AAS Associate's Degrees: In cases where an associate's degree is desired, all course and residency requirements stated in the Catalog must be met and validated.

 A7.5 Admissions and Registrar's Office: The Admissions and Registrar's Office coordinates the admissions, and related enrollment functions for the College. It is responsible for admissions, registration, graduation, scholastic records, reporting of enrollment data to the state, and veterans programs. The office is responsible for maintaining official records of all student enrollments and necessary related information and documentation. Registrar's Office: The central office is located on the second (2nd) floor of the Harvin Student Center on the East Campus. A satellite office is located in the Administration Building on the West Campus. These offices are open both day and evening hours, as posted at each location. A7.5.1 Scholastic Records: This office prepares and maintains permanent scholastic records on all students--past, present, and prospective, verifies enrollment information for various agencies, and handles all subpoenas for student records.
  A7.5.1.1 The initial contact with prospective students and foreign students, for whom eligibility for admission is determined and the necessary forms prepared, is made by this office.

A7.5.1.2 Files and records on each veteran, including certification, tutoring, and dependents' certification under the various G.I. Bills, are prepared and maintained.
 

 A7.5.2 Registration: This office prepares the class schedule; coordinates registration activities, including legal residence classification; organizes and processes schedule changes; coordinates data processing related to appropriate functions; distributes and collects class rolls and final grades, and determines scholastic standing of students.

A7.5.3 Graduation: Responsibilities include certification of graduates and oversight of graduation activities, including ordering and distributing graduation regalia and diplomas and planning programs, printing, and other related activities.

A7.5.4 Agency Reports: The office on the East Campus supervises the processing and obtaining of statistical and analytical reports for the Coordinating Board and other agencies as required.

A7.5.5 Room Reservations: The master room chart is located in the East Campus office, and reservations for classrooms are scheduled in this office.

 A7.6 Career Planning and Placement: The office offers information, assistance, and guidance to current and former students seeking employment, planning a new career, or changing careers.  Applications for services can be completed by visiting the offices located at the Harvin Student Center on the East Campus, and the Coleman Center on the West Campus, or by visiting the website at www.delmar.edu/placement. A7.6.1 Availability: Services are provided to assist current and former students in finding part-time, full-time, or summer/holiday positions and career positions upon graduation.

A7.6.2 Support Service: The staff assists students in the development of pre-employment job search skills, resume writing, and interviewing techniques.  Utilizing job market information, interest inventories, and other resources, the staff also assists individuals planning a new career, changing careers, or choosing a career.

A7.6.3 Opportunities: The office provides employment opportunities through off-campus job referral, open-table recruitment, job fairs, and individual appointment on-campus recruitment. Information on internship opportunities is also available.

 A7.7 Student Activities: There are two (2) student activity offices, one located in the Harvin Student Center on the East Campus and one located in the Coleman Center on the West Campus. A7.7.1 Goals: The goals of these offices are to provide programs and activities that complement the educational process and to provide students with interesting, entertaining, and educational extracurricular activities.

A7.7.2 Services: Coordinating of various clubs and organizations, publishing a weekly bulletin, providing discount tickets to movies and other events, scheduling meeting rooms in the centers, and representing special events are some of the services offered.

A7.7.3 Participation: Student volunteers are encouraged to provide input in the planning and implementing of activities and events; anyone interested in participating should contact the Director of Student Activities.

 A7.8 Special Services Office: The Special Services Office offers programs and supportive services to assist students in overcoming obstacles to education. A7.8.1 Handicapped: Students who are functionally handicapped may receive information on registration, counseling, tutoring, reading, note taking, interpreting, and campus mobility; staff members cooperate with the Texas Commission for the Blind and the Texas Rehabilitation Commission.

A7.8.2 Child Care: Special Services Office staff administers child care assistance for students who are enrolled full time in vocational, technical, or health science programs and who are single heads of households with children needing care.

A7.8.3 Re-Entry Students: Students who are older than the average may receive help through Project Re-Entry, which supplies educational assistance, advice, and peer support systems for both men and women returning to school.

B7.8.4 Services for Senior Citizens: Persons sixty-five years (65) of age and older, regardless of educational background, may audit academic, adult education, and vocational courses offered by the College (if space is available) without charge except in courses using expendable materials, in which they will be expected to pay the laboratory fee, and in courses of individual instruction, for example, music lessons. Persons fifty-five (55) years of age and older may participate in free, informal classes taught by volunteers at the College. Satisfactory evidence as to the minimum age having been attained must be provided to appropriate College officials.
 

A7.8.4.1 No student records will be maintained by the teacher or the Registrar’s Office; that is, no credit will be awarded and no grades will be given for academic, adult education, or vocational courses.

A7.8.4.2 The administration will determine courses in which space is available and the dates and times at which persons may request access. Senior citizen students will not count in determining the minimum number of students necessary to conduct a class. Regular admission procedures are not required. The Special Services Office will register these students.

A7.8.4.3 The Special Services Office, with the concurrence of the administration, may arrange special participation for senior citizens in annual retirement enrichment seminars, social events, campus tours, cultural programs, and use of the Library and swimming pool.

 A7.9 Out-of-Town Travel: The sponsor of any group of students making out-of-town trips must complete in advance the proper forms, which may be obtained in the office of the Dean of Student Development. (Travel procedures are covered under B3.14.)

A7.10 Student Publications: The journalism teacher is the editor of the College newspaper, The Foghorn, published weekly and distributed without charge to students and faculty.

A7.11 Sports at Del Mar: The College has an extensive intramural program, including flag football, handball, tennis, racquetball, superstar decathlon, weightlifting, gymnastics, swimming, badminton, volleyball, basketball, softball, table tennis, bowling, and golf. Student organizations field teams in various events in competition with other clubs.

B7.12 Student Grievance and Appeals Policy: A student grievance and appeals policy, applicable to all students of Del Mar College, is used to provide reasonable assurance that all practices and actions are pertinent and realistic and are applied in a nondiscriminatory manner. The policy is designed to help maintain good student relations, to handle grievances efficiently at the level closest to the problem, and to establish a problem-solving academic and non-academic environment with full student participation.

B7.12.1 Definitions: A student's disagreement with the application of a specific College rule and/or policy is processed formally as a grievance; a student's disagreement with a practice not established as College policy is processed as an informal complaint.
  B7.12.1.1 The "aggrieved party" is a student who has a disagreement arising from academic relationships when he believes there has been an unfair breach or misinterpretation of applicable rules and policies of the College, including, but not limited to, disciplinary action, incidents involving health or safety hazards, and instances of alleged discrimination.

B7.12.1.2 A "complainant" is a student who is dissatisfied with College-related problems which are not matters of established College policy, but instead are practices of a particular department or division.
 

 B7.12.2 Confidentiality: All grievances and complaints are confidential.

B7.12.3 Reprisal: A student may enter a complaint or grievance without fear of interference, retaliation, or harassment from faculty or administration.

B7.12.4 Processing a Complaint:
 

B7.12.4.1 A complaint, which is not processed through the grievance procedure, must be informally presented to the source of the problem for discussion and consideration. In the case of a complaint about an instructor, for example, each point of complaint must first be aired with that instructor before the rest of the process may be followed.

B7.12.4.2 If not satisfactorily resolved at that level, the complaint must be submitted by the student in writing to the next highest level of supervision as listed on the current Del Mar College Organizational Chart, which may be obtained in the Office of the Dean of Student Development and other offices on the campus. The decision at this level is final.
 

 B7.12.5 Non-Academic Grievance: Using the appropriate form, which may be obtained from the Office of the Dean of Student Development, the grievant shall address only one (1) subject in any one (1) grievance. A written grievance shall contain a clear and concise statement of the grievance, referring to the actual policy that is alleged to have been violated, the date the incident took place, the issue involved, and the remedy sought. The following steps shall be followed in an effort to reconcile a grievance.
  B7.12.5.1 Step One: The grievant shall discuss the nature of the grievance with the source of the problem within five (5) working days after the date of the grievant's awareness of the occurrence. The faculty or staff member concerned will verbally inform the aggrieved party of a decision on the problem within five (5) working days.

B7.12.5.2 Step Two: The grievant, if dissatisfied with the decision, may appeal to the next higher level of supervision in writing within five (5) working days following the Step One decision. A written decision shall then be made by this supervisor within five (5) working days following the receipt of the grievant's written statement.

B7.12.5.3 Step Three: Grievances not settled at Step Two may be appealed in writing to the next administrative level (usually the Dean or other appropriate administrative official). This appeal must be filed within five (5) working days of the receipt of the Step Two decision. At this time, the Dean, or other appropriate administrator, may meet with the grievant to review the grievance. A written reply shall be made within five (5) working days following the day the appeal is received by the Dean or the appropriate administrator.

B7.12.5.4 Step Four: If the grievant remains dissatisfied after Step Three, the grievant may then appeal, within five (5) working days of the receipt of the Step Three decision to the Student Grievance Review Board through The Office of the Dean of Student Development. The Board shall hold hearings, assure due process, determine the facts, produce a record, and make a written recommendation to the appropriate Vice President.
 

B7.12.5.4.1 The Review Board shall consist of five (5) members selected by the Dean of Student Development from a panel of fifteen (15) students previously recommended by Student Advisory Committees and appointed by the President at the beginning of each academic year. The students on this panel should reflect the general student population. The Review Board will name its own chair, and a member from the Affirmative Action Committee shall be present to assure due process to all parties.

B7.12.5.4.2 The Review Board shall hold its hearings within ten (10) working days from the date the Dean of Student Development is notified in writing that Step Three of the grievance process is being appealed. The appropriate Vice President, within five (5) working days after receipt of the Review Board's recommendation, shall give the aggrieved party a written decision after a review of the Board's findings.
 

 B7.12.5.5 Step Five: An appeal a Step Four decision may be made by the grievant in writing within five (5) working days to the President, Del Mar College. The President or a representative of the President's Office (usually the Equity and Human Resources Officer) shall review the case and a meeting with the aggrieved party may take place. The President shall provide a written decision within seven (7) working days after receiving the appeal.

B7.12.5.6 Step Six: A final appeal from a Step Five decision may be made in writing within five (5) working days to the Board of Regents of the Del Mar College. After reviewing all facts based upon policy and records obtained from prior steps, the Board shall provide a written decision within forty-five (45) working days after receiving the appeal. In all cases, the Board of Regents' decision is final.

B7.12.5.7 Time Limits: If the grievant fails to meet the time limits at any step, the grievance is automatically considered dropped; if the administration or College personnel, at any step, fail to meet the time limits, the grievance is automatically advanced to the next step. Extension of time limits for any step may be authorized through the President, Del Mar College, upon written request.
 

 B7.12.6 General Academic (Non-Grade) Grievance: A student general academic grievance is any dissatisfaction or feelings of injustice a student or prospective student may have while associated with Del Mar College. A grievance may result from any academic disagreement not directly related to the assignment of a grade or grades [See B7.12.7 for Grievance on Grades].
  B7.12.6.1 All grievants are encouraged to resolve problems where they arise and with the parties involved. Only when the problems cannot be solved informally in conference with the teacher or staff member should the student resort to the formal grievance procedure. At this point the student should seek the advice of the Dean of Student Development about the proper procedure.

B7.12.6.2 A student who has a non-grade-related academic grievance against a faculty or staff member may take the following action:

 
(1) Discuss the matter with the faculty or staff member involved within one (1) month after the occurrence of the event giving rise to the grievance.

(2) The decision of the faculty or staff member should be made within five (5) working days of the student/instructor conference. That decision is final unless within five (5) days after the decision, the student completes the appropriate form, available in the departmental office or the Office of the Dean of Student Development, and presents it to the Department Chair for review.

(3) The Chair has five (5) days to investigate and reach a decision.

(4) If necessary, the actions indicated in Steps Two and Three above may be repeated through the appropriate Dean for a decision, which must be made within five (5) working days.

(5) The student then has five (5) working days to appeal the case to the Vice President of Instruction and Student Development, who will review the grievance for matters of policy and procedure only. The decision of the VPI shall be made within five (5) working days and shall be final.

(6) A prospective student denied admission to any special program of the College may, following Steps Two, Three, and Four, appeal to the appropriate Division Dean or, in the cases of general admissions to Del Mar College, to the Vice President of Instruction and Student Development, whose decision is final.
 

 B7.12.6.3 Time Limits: If the grievant fails to meet the time limits at any step, the grievance is automatically considered dropped; if the College personnel, at any step, fail to meet the time limits, the grievance is automatically advanced to the next step. Extension of time limits for any step may be authorized through the President, Del Mar College, upon written request. B7.12.7 Grievance on Grades: To assure all students fair and consistent treatment in the assignment of grades, the following procedure provides a due process by which students and faculty members may resolve disputed grades. To guarantee that academic freedom will be maintained, the College should not be placed in the position of administratively changing a grade assigned. Therefore, the procedure set forth below shall be followed by any student who feels that he has been treated unfairly in the assignment of a grade.
  B7.12.7.1 The student must contact the instructor who issued the grade as soon as possible but within ten (10) working days after the beginning of the next College term following the issuing of the disputed grade. The student may ask that the grade be changed or that the faculty member explain why the grade is the appropriate grade. If the grade is changed to the mutual satisfaction of the instructor and the student, or if the instructor convinces the student of the appropriateness of the grade, the dispute is resolved.

B7.12.7.2 If the issue cannot be resolved between the two parties, the student may file a formal grievance in writing with the Chair of the department in which the grade was issued. The student must file the appropriate form within five (5) working days of the student-instructor conference. The Chair shall consider the arguments of both parties and issue to both parties an opinion within five (5) working days. The opinion shall be limited to the following alternatives:
 

(1) "After reviewing the facts in this matter, I see insufficient reasons to recommend a change in the grade," or, (2) "After reviewing the facts in this matter, I recommend that the grade should be reevaluated, based on the following reasons…."


B7.12.7.3 If the opinion of the Chair is that the grade should be reevaluated, and the faculty member is willing to change it to the mutual satisfaction of the student and the faculty member, the dispute is resolved. If the opinion of the Chair is that the grade should not be changed, or if the faculty member is not agreeable to changing the grade within five (5) working days after an opinion from the Chair recommending the change, the student may petition in writing the Dean of the division in which the grade was issued for a review. This must be done within five (5) working days of the Chair’s recommendation not to change the grade, or within five (5) working days of the faculty member’s decision not to change the grade, whichever is relevant. The Dean shall consider the arguments of both parties and issue an opinion within five (5) working days. The opinion shall be limited to the following alternatives:
 

(1) "After reviewing the facts in this matter, I see insufficient reasons to recommend a change in the grade," or, (2) "After reviewing the facts in this matter, I recommend that the grade should be reevaluated, based on the following reasons…"


B7.12.7.4 If the opinion of the Dean is that the grade should be reevaluated, and the faculty member is agreeable to changing it to the mutual satisfaction of the student and the faculty member, the dispute is resolved. If the opinion of the Dean is that the grade should not be changed, or if the faculty member is not agreeable to change the grade within five (5) working days after an opinion from the Dean recommending the change, the student may petition in writing the Vice President of Instruction and Student Development for review. This must be done within five (5) working days of the Dean’s recommendation not to change the grade, or within five (5) working days of the faculty member’s decision not to change the grade, whichever is relevant. The Vice President shall consider the arguments of both parties and issue an opinion within five (5) working days. The opinion shall be limited to the following alternatives:
 

(1) "After reviewing the facts in this matter, I see insufficient reasons to recommend a change in the grade," or, (2) "After reviewing the facts in this matter, I recommend that the grade should be reevaluated, based on the following reasons…."


B7.12.7.5 If the opinion of the Vice President of Instruction and Student Development is that the grade should be reevaluated, and the faculty member is willing to change it to the mutual satisfaction of the student and the faculty member, the dispute is resolved. If the opinion of the Vice President is that the grade should not be changed, and if the faculty member is still not agreeable to changing the grade within five (5) working days after this opinion of the Vice President is tendered, then the grade assigned by the instructor stands. If the opinion of the Vice President is that the grade should be changed, and if the faculty member is still not agreeable to changing the grade within five (5) working days after this opinion of the Vice President is tendered, then the grade assigned by the instructor stands.

B7.12.7.6 Should the faculty member be unavailable to participate in this process due to reasons such as death, resignation, or incapacity, the Dean with the consent of the Vice President of Instruction and Student Development shall form a committee comprised at least in part of the Chair and two (2) faculty members from the department. This committee shall be empowered to act in the place of the faculty member.

A certified return-receipt letter will be sent by the Dean to the last-known or assumed address of the faculty member who cannot be reached for participation, explaining that the aforementioned committee will he constituted by the Dean if a positive response is not received within ten (10) days of the delivery date.

B7.12.7.7 Time Limits: If the grievant fails to meet the time limits, the grievance is automatically considered dropped;  if the administration or College personnel, at any step, fail to meet the time limits, the grievance is automatically advanced to the next step. Extension of time limits for any step may be authorized through the President, Del Mar College, upon written request. Completion of all of the steps will exhaust the College's due process procedure.

 B7.13 Standards of Student Conduct Policy: This policy is applicable to all students enrolled in Del Mar College. This policy is used in order that students be afforded equal protection and that all practices and actions be applied equally and in a nondiscriminatory manner. B7.13.1 General Statement: Del Mar College is composed of individuals interacting with others for the mutual benefit of all, thereby developing a culture with standards of conduct and distinguishable aims. The College is a system based on the concept of freedom of choice that creates the educational and cultural conditions for the full development of students and members of the community.   It is the right of students attending Del Mar College to retain their individualism, personal freedom, autonomy, and dignity, while respecting at the same time the rights of others. Students attending the College should be provided with the opportunity to learn, to develop to their fullest potential, and to grow as individuals and as citizens. All students are individuals and display different abilities, skills, interests, appreciations, attitudes, beliefs, and values.   Therefore, students who enroll, neither lose their personal freedom or rights, nor do they escape the duties of a citizen while enjoying significant educational opportunities at Del Mar College. Students have a responsibility to themselves, to their fellow students, to the law of the land, and to policies of the College in which, by their own choice, they enroll. Student rights and responsibilities include but are not limited to:   B7.13.2 Student Rights:   B7.13.2.1 The right to exercise the privileges of an American citizen in a college setting.   B7.13.2.2 The right to inquire about and to recommend improvements in policies, regulations, and procedures affecting the welfare of the students. This right is best exercised to the fullest use of the appropriate facilities provided through the Student Development Office or other campus organizations.   B7.13.2.3 The right to counsel, to a fair hearing, and to an appeal when a disciplinary action is applied to the student as an individual or as a group member.   B7.13.3 Student Obligations and Responsibilities:
  B7.13.3.1 The obligation to be fully acquainted with published rules, regulations, and policies of the College and to comply with them in the interest of maintaining an orderly and productive College community.

B7.13.3.2 The obligation to follow the tenets of common decency and acceptable behavior commensurate with the aspiration implied by a college education.

B7.13.3.3 The obligation to respect the rights and property of others.
 

 B7.13.4 Discipline: The following are types of misconduct which, if established, will result in appropriate disciplinary action:
  B7.13.4.1 Academic cheating and plagiarism of any kind.

B7.13.4.2 Furnishing false information to the College or filing or making known false charges against the College and/or a member of its faculty or staff.

B7.13.4.3 Destruction, damage, unauthorized possession, or misuse of College property, including Library and laboratory materials and equipment, or of private property on the campus.

B7.13.4.4 Forgery, alteration, unauthorized possession, or misuse of College documents, records, or identification cards.

B7.13.4.5 Physical or verbal abuse of another person in the College community. Any verbal threat or abuse or physical action against any College employee and/or student is considered sufficient grounds for suspension from the College, subject to a disciplinary hearing.

B7.13.4.6 Participation in hazing in contravention of the Texas Education Codes, Sections 4.51 to 1.58, inclusive.

B7.13.4.7 Use, distribution, or possession of "alcoholic beverages"1/, "dangerous drugs"2/, or "controlled substances"3/, while on College property or at any authorized activity sponsored by or for any College-related organization, whether on or off campus.
 

1/ As defined in Section 1.04(1) of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code.

2/ As defined in Article 4476-14, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes.

3/ As defined in Article 4~76-15 (Texas Controlled Substances Act) Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes or in 21 U.S. Code Section 801 et seq.


B7.13.4.8 Disorderly conduct which inhibits or interferes with the educational responsibility of the College community or which disrupts the administrative or service functions of the College to include social-educational activities.

B7.13.4.9 Actions which violate State and federal law or city or county ordinances.

B7.13.4.10 Malfeasance or misuse of elected or appointed office in a student organization, or endangering its members, or the welfare of the College community.

B7.13.4.11 Incorrigible or persistently irresponsible behavior.

B7.13.4.12 Gambling on campus or on College property.

B7.13.4.13 Possession of any "weapon"4/ on campus or on College property or at any activity sponsored by the College or in any vehicle owned by the College (see Board Policy B3.13).
 

4/ "Weapon" is defined to include any firearm, handgun (whether or not licensed under TRCS art. 4413 (29ee)), illegal knife, club, or prohibited weapon as defined or listed in Sections 46.01 and 46.05 (a) of the Texas Penal Code.


B7.13.4.14 Personality problems which disrupt teaching with detrimental effects upon other students.

B7.13.4.15 Any disruption of on-going educational activities of the College which warrants disciplinary action.

B7.13.4.16 Sexual harassment of an employee, student, or applicant for a position or program at the College, or retaliation against a person for complaining of sexual harassment or for cooperating in a investigation of alleged sexual harassment. (For a statement of College policy and complaint procedures relating to sexual harassment, see B5.42.)

 B7.13.5 Disciplinary Action: Any one or more of the following disciplinary actions may be imposed by the College:
  B7.13.5.1 Admonition and warning.

B7.13.5.2 Loss of privileges.
 

a. Removal from elective or appointive office. b. Loss of such other privileges which may be consistent with the offense committed and the rehabilitation of the student.


B7.13.5.3 Disciplinary probation with or without loss of designated privileges for a specified period of time. The violation of the terms of disciplinary probation or the infraction of any College rule during the disciplinary action will result in automatic suspension.

B7.13.5.4 Suspension from the College for a definite period of time.

B7.13.5.5 Expulsion from the College.
 

 B7.13.6 The Policy of Del Mar College on Scholastic Dishonesty: Teachers are expected to maintain the good reputation and the integrity of Del Mar College and of their own profession by guarding against scholastic dishonesty in students.

Students are expected to maintain the integrity of the College by avoiding dishonesty in their own behavior and by expecting honest behavior from their fellow students. One of the requirements for passing the courses students take at Del Mar College is that students do their own work. Meeting this requirement means avoiding plagiarism, collusion, and cheating.

  A7.13.6.1 Students Must Not Plagiarize: Plagiarism occurs when a student takes another’s words or ideas and uses them as if they were the student's own. This can happen in three (3) ways:
  A7.13.6.1.1 A student copies another’s words without using quotation marks and without giving the source.

A7.13.6.1.2 A student puts another's ideas into the student’s words but does not give the source.

A7.13.6.1.3 A student duplicates another’s structure of thought or organization of ideas but does not give the source.
 

 A7.13.6.2 Students Must Not Commit Collusion: Collusion occurs when someone else writes all or any part of a student's paper.   A7.13.6.3 Students Must Not Cheat: Cheating includes, but is not limited to, a student looking at another's work or using unauthorized materials during a test or written assignment.   A7.13.6.4 Penalties for Dishonest Behavior: If a teacher has reasonable grounds upon which to conclude that a student has plagiarized, committed collusion, or cheated, the teacher may choose one or more of the following options:   A7.13.6.4.1 Give the work an F.

A7.13.6.4.2 Give the work a zero.

A7.13.6.4.3 Drop the student with a WF even during the automatic W period.

A7.13.6.4.4 Give the student an F for the course.

A7.13.6.4.5 Institute other disciplinary action against the student which may lead to the student’s suspension or dismissal from the College.

A7.13.6.4.6 The degree of presumed intent to commit an act of scholastic dishonesty will be a factor in the instructor's choice from among the penalties listed above.

  B7.13.6.5 Verification: If the student denies dishonesty, the student must reconstruct or reproduce the work in a way agreeable to and under the supervision of the teacher, to prove that no dishonesty has occurred.   If the student declines the opportunity to reconstruct or reproduce the work, the matter is ended, and the teacher may impose one or more of the penalties listed above. If the student produces what he or she believes constitutes proof that the work is indeed his or her own work, and the teacher disagrees, the student may file a grievance.   A7.13.7 The Policy of Del Mar College on Student Dismissal from Class:  It is the prerogative of the instructor whether or not to withdraw a student who has given evidence of nonperformance, nonattendance, consistently poor performance, or consistently poor attendance. The teacher may dismiss a student for such reasons and record a grade of F or WF as the teacher deems appropriate, in light of the student's record and in keeping with the teacher's rules, procedures, or guidelines. B7.14 Graduate Guarantee for Job Competency: Del Mar College guarantees that if an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) or a Certificate of Achievement graduate is judged by the graduate's employer to be lacking in technical job skills identified as exit competencies for a specific degree or certificate program, the graduate will be provided up to nine (9) tuition-free credit hours of additional skill training by Del Mar College under the conditions of this guaranteed graduate policy. Special conditions which apply to this guarantee are as follows: A7.14.1 Date of Degree: The graduate must have earned the A.A.S. degree or a certificate beginning May  1993, or thereafter, in a technical program identified in the College Catalog.

A7.14.2Degree Requirements: The graduate must have completed the A.A.S. degree or certificate at Del Mar College (with a minimum of seventy-five percent [75%] of the credits being earned at Del Mar College) and must have completed the degree or certificate within a four (4) year time span.

A7.14.3 Employment: Graduates must be employed full-time in an area directly related to the area of program concentration as certified by the appropriate Division Dean.

A7.14.4 Date of Employment:  Employment must have commenced within twelve (12) months of graduation.

A7.14.5 Additional Skills Training: A request to develop an educational plan for additional skills training by the College may be initiated by the graduate and employer through a written contact with the office of the appropriate Division Dean. The employer must certify in writing that the employee is lacking entry-level skills identified by Del Mar College as the employee's program competencies and must specify the areas of deficiency within ninety (90) days of the graduate's initial employment.

A7.14.6 Educational Plan for Retraining: The employer, graduate, and College representatives assigned by the College President will develop a written educational plan for retraining, which may include individually directed study in the area of deficiency and/or up to nine (9) credit hours of course work.

A7.14.7 Limitation on Enrollment:  Enrollment in credit courses will be limited to those classes regularly scheduled during the period covered by the educational plan.

A7.14.8 Retraining Time Limit:  All retraining must be completed within one (1) calendar year from the time the educational plan is developed.

A7.14.9 Course-Related Expenses: The graduate and/or the employer is responsible for the cost of books, insurance, uniforms, fees, and other course-related expenses.

B7.14.10 Guarantee Limitation:  The guarantee does not imply that the graduate will pass any licensing or qualifying examination for a particular career.

B7.14.11 Limit on Claim for Remedy:  The graduate's and/or the employer's sole claim for remedy against Del Mar College for skill deficiencies shall be limited to the enforcement of the obligation to provide nine (9) credit hours of tuition-free education under the conditions described within this policy.

 A7.15 The Policy of Courses Requiring Reading, English, and Mathematics Assessment Levels (REMs): Revisions Adopted July 19, 2004: The Policy on Courses that Require Reading, English, and Mathematics Assessment Levels (REMs):  Technical Courses (generally those courses in certificate programs and A.A.S. degree programs) will not be required to list any required assessment levels (the current REM notations may be omitted entirely for these courses). For all other non-technical courses in A.A.,  A.S., and A.A.S. degree programs, the program faculty and the Department Chair, with the approval of the appropriate Dean, will decide on the appropriate assessment levels using the following guidelines:
A7.15.1 Areas Listed: Revisions Adopted July 19, 2004: Only those areas (reading, writing, or math) needed for a course will be listed.  For example, ENGL 1301 will list only an R level and an E level (a math level is not needed).
A7.15.2 Noted Assessment Levels: Revisions Adopted July 19, 2004: Only assessment levels 2 or 3 need to be noted.  An assessment level of 1 is the "default” and need not be noted.

A7.15.3 Transfer Courses Assessment Level: Revisions Adopted July 19, 2004: Most college-credit transfer courses will require an assessment level of 3 in at least one area (reading, writing, or math). If a Chair determines that a course does not require students to be at level 3 in any area (reading, writing, or math), a brief written rationale will be given to the appropriate Dean and the Vice President of Learning and Academic Affairs.

A7.15.4 REM Levels Not Required: Revisions Adopted July 19, 2004: REM assessment levels usually will not need to be stated for courses that have another course as a prerequisite.  Only the prerequisite course need be stated, unless REMs higher than those needed for the prerequisite course are also required.

A7.15.5 Special Approval: Revisions Adopted July 19, 2004: A Chair may give “special approval” to permit a student who does not meet the assessment levels for a course to enroll in that course.  This “special approval” may be used to enroll students only into courses in the Chair’s department.  (See A7.17.4.1)

A7.16 The Policy of Del Mar College on Student Withdrawal for Military Service: When a student receives orders from a branch of the armed forces requiring service prior to the close of the term in which the student is enrolled, the student is to speak to the instructors to see if, in their judgment, sufficient time has elapsed for the assignment of grades. If, in the opinion of one (1) or more of the instructors, insufficient time has elapsed for this purpose, the student must furnish the Registrar with copies of military orders. The Registrar will then inform the faculty members that the student in question may be assigned a grade of "W," and notify the Business Office, with a copy to the student, that a scholarship will be granted in the amount of all current tuition and fees for the specific courses from which the student has withdrawn during the affected semester. The scholarship will take effect upon the student's return to Del Mar College.

A7.17 Del Mar College Developmental Education Plan:  Adopted July 19, 2004: This plan identifies how Del Mar College will meet the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative.  This plan receives oversight from the College-wide IMPACT (Improvement Activities) Committee.

A7.17.1 Exemptions: The following students are exempt:
A7.17.1.1 ACT: composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on both the English and the mathematics tests;
A7.17.1.2 Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT): a combined verbal and mathematics score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on both the verbal and the mathematics tests;

ACT and SAT must have been taken no more than five (5) years prior to enrollment.

A7.17.1.3 Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS): a minimum scale score of 1770 on the writing test, a Texas Learning Index (TLI) of 86 on the mathematics test and 89 on the reading test.  TAAS must have been taken no more than three (3) years prior to enrollment.

A7.17.1.4 Graduates with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education.

A7.17.1.5 Transfer students from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education who have satisfactorily completed college-level course work.  If these students do not have previous course work in English and mathematics that can determine assessment levels, they should take either the COMPASS or THEA to determine their placement levels.  Students without a reading course who have college course work credit in any course equivalent to a course identified by Del Mar College as assessment level 3 in reading will be considered college-ready in reading.

A7.17.1.6 Students who have previously attended any institution and have been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.

A7.17.1.7 Students continuing in a Level-One certificate program may complete their certificate without additional assessment.

A7.17.1.8 Non-degree-seeking students who register for ESOL classes only.

All students will be assessed in Reading, Writing and Mathematics, except students described above in A7.17.1.4 ,  A7.17.1.5 or A7.17.1.8.  Students who have previously taken the TASP Test (or TASP alternative test) will not need to be reassessed.

A7.17.2 Assessment.
A7.17.2.1 Del Mar College assesses each entering student prior to enrollment.  Under exceptional circumstances, a student may enroll in freshman-level academic course work without assessment but will be required to be assessed not later than the end of the first semester of enrollment in freshman-level academic course work.

A7.17.2.2 Del Mar College will not use the assessment or the results of the assessment as a condition of admission.

A7.17.2.3 Assessment Instruments.  The following assessment instruments are used at Del Mar College:

A7.17. 2.3.1 COMPASS offered by ACT;
A7.17. 2.3.2 Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) (formerly TASP Test) offered by National Evaluation Systems, Inc.

A7.17. 2.3.3 The standards used by the College to determine readiness for academic course work are shown on a placement chart, published in the Catalog and class schedule.

A7.17.3 Advisement:
A7.17.3.1 Appropriate developmental course work will be determined by a student’s test scores and the placement chart developed by DMC shown in the Catalog and Class Schedule.

Students who pass the developmental courses required by their test scores are considered ready for academic course work corresponding to their current placement levels.

A7.17.3.2 Each student who has earned 24 or fewer credit hours will be required to meet with an advisor prior to registration.  The appropriate developmental education for that individual student is available to the advisor through the College Student Information System.  Undeclared and liberal arts majors will meet with faculty from the Department of Counseling, Advising and Special Services.  All other students will meet with faculty from their major.

Students may request a copy of their education plan from their advisor.

A7.17.3.3 Students with documented learning disabilities may not be able to complete the developmental education prescribed for other students.  The specific developmental education plans for these students will be determined by a committee composed of a professional staff person from the Office of Special Services, the Chair(s) of the Reading, English, or Mathematics Departments (or their designee) for each section of the assessment test not meeting the college-readiness standard and the Chair (or designee) of the student’s major.

A7.17.4 Determination of College Readiness:
A7.17.4.1 All courses offered by Del Mar College have been assigned assessment levels for Reading, English and Mathematics.  Students may concurrently enroll in developmental classes and college-credit classes as long as they meet all three assessment levels by assessment test scores or by passing the previous level of developmental class, unless they are given special approval by the Department Chair to enroll in a course in the department.

A7.17.4.2 Students who do not initially score at college-level according to the Del Mar College Assessment Chart shown in the College Catalog and Schedule of Classes must either retest and score at college level or complete the developmental education required to be eligible to enroll in courses in their degree plan.

Students who initially score below the deviation standard must retest in every area where the deviation standard was not met and complete the developmental education required by their degree plan to be considered college-ready in reading, writing or mathematics.

A7.17.5 Retesting:
A7.17.5.1 Students who do not initially perform at or above the following scores on tests administered after September 1, 2003, will be required to retest on each section for which they do not meet the standard:
A7.17.5.1.1 COMPASS: Reading Skills - 64; Algebra - 23; and Writing Skills (objective) - 44;

A7.17.5.1.2 THEA: Reading - 201; Mathematics - 206; Writing - 205;

A7.17.5.1.3 An essay with a score of 5 will meet these criteria if the student meets the objective writing test standard.

A7.17.5.2 Students may retest with either the THEA or the COMPASS.  They must wait 30 days after taking the THEA QT before they may retake the THEA QT.
A7.17.5.3 Students with TASP (or TASP alternative) Test scores who have enrolled in a Texas public college prior to Fall 2003 are not required to retest but must complete the developmental education required by their degree plan.
A7.17.6 Evaluation: Overview of the College’s developmental education program is provided by the Department of Communications, Languages and Reading, the Department of English and Philosophy, and the Department of Mathematics and Physics.  All developmental education and the student services that support it are coordinated by the College-wide IMPACT (Improvement Activities) Committee.