Public Notice of Non-Discrimination

Southwestern Oregon Community College Board of Education Notice of Non-Discrimination

Students, their families, employees and potential employees of the Southwestern Oregon Community College District are hereby notified that Southwestern Oregon Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, national origin, age, disability status, gender identity or protected veterans in employment, education, or activities as set forth in compliance with federal and state statutes and regulations.

Any person having inquiries concerning Southwestern’s compliance with Titles II and IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the US Education Amendments of 1972 - Public Law 92-318, or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 may contact:

Jeff Whitey, Vice President of Administrative Services
Southwestern Oregon Community College
1988 Newmark Ave.
Tioga Hall, Rm 511
Coos Bay, OR 97420
541-888-7402

Southwestern Oregon Community College offers the following career and technical education programs for all students regardless of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, national origin, age, disability status, gender identity, or protected veteran status, including those with limited English proficiency: Business, Office Technology, Computer Technology, Childhood Education, Criminal Justice, Culinary, Fire Sciences, Health Sciences, and Welding.

Persons seeking further information concerning the vocational education offerings and specific prerequisite criteria should contact:

Dr. Ali Mageehon, Vice President of Instruction
Southwestern Oregon Community College
1988 Newmark Ave.
Tioga Hall, Rm 506
Coos Bay, OR 97420
541-888-7417
 

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this catalog, Southwestern Oregon Community College has the right to make changes at any time without prior notice. This catalog is not a contract between Southwestern Oregon Community College and current or prospective students. Some policies and procedures are subject to change. See quarterly Schedule of Courses for details.

Equal Opportunity

Southwestern Oregon Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, national origin, age, disability status, gender identity, or protected veterans in employment, education, or activities as set forth in compliance with federal and state statutes and regulations

Student Consumer Information & Student Right To Know

In accordance with 34 CFR Part 668, students have the right to know certain information about Southwestern Oregon Community College including a variety of academic information, financial assistance information, institutional information, institutional security policies and crime statistics, information on completion or graduation rates, and athletic program participation rates and financial support data. To view this data go to Student Consumer Information at https://www.socc.edu/getting-started/paying-for-college/consumer-information/. This page provides links to information about Southwestern Oregon Community College in accordance with the Higher Education Act's disclosure requirements.

Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) students, as free citizens and members of a learning community, enjoy particular rights. Along with these rights is the responsibility to conduct oneself in accordance with the standards of the College that are designed to advance student learning. Although not all of these rights can be found in any document, it is important to note those that are most fundamental. For a list of policies visit (https://mylakerlink.socc.edu/ICS/Administrative_Services).

Alcohol & Drug-Free (Refer to APP 7135 for the full policy)

It is the Administrative procedure of the Southwestern Oregon Community College District that the College is committed to the prevention of the misuse and abuse of alcohol and drugs by both students and employees. Drug and alcohol abuse is a significant public health problem which has spread throughout our society, affecting performance and productivity, as well as our level of general health. In addition, the use of alcohol and drugs can adversely affect an organization's level of safety as well as its public confidence and trust. Southwestern Oregon Community College defines the following behaviors as violations of the standards of student conduct: The possession of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances on the College campus or any other facility that is rented, leased, owned or occupied by the College at any time when classes or student activities are scheduled, except as specifically approved by the College President or designee. Sanctions which may be imposed on students for violations of the code include: disciplinary probation, temporary exclusion (removal from classes, privileges, or activities for a specified period), expulsion (termination of student status). 

Equity & Inclusion

Students, their families, employees, and potential employees of the Southwestern Oregon Community College District are hereby notified that Southwestern Oregon Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, use of native language, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, pregnancy, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Freedom of Association

Students shall be free to organize and join associations to promote their common interests subject to the following considerations.

• The membership, policies and actions of a student organization will be determined by vote of only those persons who are bona fide Southwestern Oregon Community College students.
• Affiliation with an extramural organization shall not of itself disqualify a student organization from institutional recognition.
• Each organization shall be free to select its own Southwestern Oregon Community College advisor. Advisors must be either contracted faculty or staff currently employed by SWOCC. SWOCC staff serves the college community when they accept the responsibility to advise and consult with student organizations to provide guidance to the group on college procedure and policy.
• Student organizations shall be required to submit a statement of purpose, criteria for membership, rules of procedures, a current list of officers, and a certified number of active members as a condition of institutional recognition.
• Campus organizations, including those affiliated with an extramural organization, shall be open to all students without respect to race, color, sexual orientation, marital and/or parental status, religion, national origin, age, mental/physical disability or learning disability, Vietnam era or disabled veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Disability consultations are available through the Office of Accessibility.

Freedom of Inquiry and Expression

Students shall be free to take exception with the information or views presented in any course without it affecting their grade as long as the disagreement is not disruptive to the instructional process. Students are responsible for learning the content of any course for which they have enrolled even if they disagree with the course content. Students and student organizations shall be free to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them, and to express opinions publicly and privately. They are free to support causes by orderly means that do not disrupt the regular and essential operation of the institution. At the same time, it should be made clear to the academic and the larger community that in their public expressions or demonstrations, students or student organizations speak only for themselves. Actions by individuals or groups to prevent the appearance of speakers who have been invited to the campus, and actions to obstruct or restrain other members of the academic community and campus visitors by physical force are subject to sanction. 

Freedom to Participate in Institutional Governance

Student representation on selected SWOCC councils and committees provides an opportunity for students to participate in institutional governance.

Nondiscrimination/Nonharassment (Refer to APP 7165 for the full Policy)

Southwestern Oregon Community College wishes to maintain a place of learning and work that is free of unlawful discrimination or harassment. The college prohibits discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s race, color, religion, ethnicity, use of native language, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, pregnancy, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws. 

Sexual Offender Registration

Anyone who is required to register as a sex offender under ORS 181.592-181.607 (sexual offender registration) or has been ordered by any court, parole board, or other public agency to not have contact with persons under the age of 18 must notify the Office of Administrative Services at Southwestern Oregon Community College (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay OR 97420) in writing within one business day of registering for any class at the College. 

Student Publications (Refer to APP 8050 for the full policy)

It is the policy of the College that all student‐edited campus media publications have been established as designated public forums for student expression. It is the College’s intent student media will provide a full opportunity for its students to inquire, question, and exchange ideas and that they will strive to reflect all areas of student interest, including topics about which there may be dissent or controversy. In student publications, both electronic and in print, content must follow the accepted ethics and standards of journalism and opinions must be disclaimed as not necessarily those of the College.

Tobacco Use Environment (Refer to APP 7155 for the full policy)

Southwestern Oregon Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its employees, students, and visitors. Consequently, except in designated smoking areas, the use or carrying of any lighted smoking instrument in College buildings or on College premises, at events on College premises, or in College-owned, rented, or leased vehicles is prohibited. The distribution and/or sale of tobacco including any smoking device, is prohibited. For the purpose of this policy, “tobacco” is defined to include any lighted or unlighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, bidi, clove cigarette, e-cigarette, vaporizer pens, and any other smoking product; and smokeless or spit tobacco, also known as dip, chew, snuff or snus, in any form.

Coos Bay campus designated smoking areas

• 1- West side of parking lot 1.
• 2- South side of parking lot 2.
• 3- Southeast side of parking lot 3.
• 4- Student Housing parking lot (outside Trinidad Head)
• 5- Student Housing parking lot (outside Cape Arago)

The Brookings campus is a tobacco-free campus.

Laker Code of Conduct

1. Students have the responsibility to obey and follow the Laker Code, College policy and procedures, Board policies, the ASG bylaws, federal and state statutes, and city ordinances. The ASG constitution and bylaws and College policy and procedures shall provide means for student involvement.
2. Students are responsible for fulfilling the requirements of their courses
3. Students are responsible for the effects of their decisions and behavior that becomes destructive to the educational goals and processes of Southwestern Oregon Community College. 

The following activities may result in disciplinary action:

• Academic Plagiarism: The intentional submission for evaluation to a College instructor or administrator of material based on ideas or work done by someone other than the submitter, without reasonable written documentation of material’s original source.
• Academic Cheating: The intentional submission for evaluation to a College instructor or administrator of material based, in part, on a source or sources forbidden by generally accepted standards or by regulations established by the evaluator and disclosed in a reasonable manner.
• Animal Abuse: Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing physical injury to an animal in violation of ORS 167.
• Furnishing false information to the College with the intent to deceive.
• Forgery, alterations, or misuse of college documents, records, or identification cards.
• Detention, physical abuse, or conduct that threatens imminent physical abuse of any person in the college community.
• Malicious destruction, damage, or misuse of college or personal property on the college campus. College property is defined as all real and/or tangible property owned or controlled by the College, including but not limited to buildings, grounds, equipment, motor vehicles, library, or other instructional materials.
• Theft or extensive damage to another’s property at the College or College-related environment.
• Hazing: Any initiation rites, on or off campus, involving any intentional action or situation that a reasonable person would foresee as causing mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, or ridicule. Individual acceptance of or acquiescence to any activity that occurs during an initiation rite does not affect a determination of whether the activity constitutes hazing.
• The possession, use, or threatened use of firearms, ammunition, knives, explosives, dangerous chemicals, or any other objects as weapons on College property, except as expressly authorized by law or institutional regulations. 5.014
• The possession of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances on the College campus Updated 3/2/2021 or any other facility that is rented, leased, owned, or occupied by the College at any time when classes or student activities are scheduled. APP 7135, BP 7135, APP 10016
• Sexual Harassment: Repeated and unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal and physical conduct which results in inhibition of unconstrained academic interchange or career advancement, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for one of the parties. APP 7165
• Substantial and material interference with the operation of the College.
• Failure to comply with the terms of any penalties applied under this Student Conduct Code.
• Disorderly Conduct: Knowingly and intentionally engaging in violent, tumultuous, or threatening behavior which results in inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm, creates unreasonable noise, or disturbs any lawful assembly of persons.
• Eluding or attempting to elude a College Campus Security officer who is pursuing official duty. 

FERPA

Confidentiality laws prohibit Southwestern Oregon Community College faculty and staff from discussing students' information with anyone, including parents and family members, without written consent.

What is FERPA?

Students’ privacy is protected under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.P.S.C. Section 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99 (2000) and related state laws. SWOCC has developed procedures in accordance with the law. I Legal References: ORS 166.065, 341.290 (2) (3) (17), 659.850, 659.865, OAR 166-450-0000 to 0125, 589-010-0100, 589-002-0200 (1) (e), 591-004- 0100 to 0750, 591-004-0500.

What does FERPA mean for college parents/advocates?

Generally, FERPA rules mean at the post-secondary level:

• Student academic information will be given to the student and not to the parents/advocates.
• College representatives are prohibited from discussing information about the student’s academic record with parents/advocates.
• Parents and advocates do not have access to disability-related records unless the student provides express written consent.
• The only exception is in cases where a student is considered a threat to himself or others.