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:

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

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 

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). 

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 

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 

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 

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:

1. Causing, attempting to cause, or threatening to cause physical injury to another person.
2. Possession, sale or otherwise furnishing any firearm, knife, explosive or other dangerous object, including but not limited to any facsimile firearm, knife or explosive, unless, in the case of possession of any object of this type, the student has obtained written permission to possess the item from a College employee, which is concurred in by the Director of Campus Safety and Emergency Management as defined in AP 3530.
3. Unlawful possession, use, sale, offer to sell, or furnishing, or being under the influence of, any controlled substance, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind; or unlawful possession of, or offering, arranging or negotiating the sale of any drug paraphernalia. See AP 3560 for further details.
4. Causing or attempting to cause damage to College property or to private property on campus.
5. Stealing or attempting to steal College property or private property on campus, or knowingly receiving stolen College property or private property on campus. Committing or attempting to commit robbery or extortion.
6. Willful or persistent smoking in any area where smoking has been prohibited by law or by regulation of the college or the College. See APP 7155 for further details.
7. Sexual assault or sexual exploitation regardless of the victim’s affiliation with the College. See AP 3516 for further details.
8. Committing sexual harassment as defined by law or by College policies and procedures.
9. Engaging in harassing or discriminatory behavior based on disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law. See APP 7165 for further details.
10. Engaging in intimidating conduct, hazing or bullying against another student through words or actions, including direct physical contact; verbal assaults, such as teasing or name-calling; social isolation or manipulation; and cyberbullying. Hazing or attempted hazing of a former, current, or prospective student of the College. See AP 5505 Hazing for more information.
11. Willful misconduct that results in injury or death to a student or to College personnel or which results in cutting, defacing, or other injury to any real or personal property owned by the College or on campus.
12. Disruptive behavior, willful disobedience, habitual profanity or vulgarity, or the open and persistent defiance of the authority of, or persistent abuse of, college personnel.
13. Cheating, plagiarism (including plagiarism in a student publication), or engaging in other academic dishonesty as defined by The Student Handbook.
14. Dishonesty; forgery; alteration or misuse of College documents, records or identification; or knowingly furnishing false information to the College.
15. Unauthorized entry upon or use of College facilities.
16. Lewd, indecent or obscene conduct or expression on College-owned or controlled property, or at College sponsored or supervised functions.
17. Engaging in expression which is obscene, libelous, or slanderous, or which so incites students as to create a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on College premises, or the violation of lawful College regulations, or the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the College.
18. Persistent, serious misconduct where other means of correction have failed to bring about proper conduct.
19. Unauthorized preparation, giving, selling, transfer, distribution, or publication, for any commercial purpose, of any contemporaneous recording of an academic presentation in a classroom or equivalent site of instruction, including but not limited to handwritten or typewritten class notes, except as permitted by any College policy or administrative procedure.
20. Animal Abuse: Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing physical injury to an animal in violation of ORS 167.

FERPA

Confidentiality laws prohibit Southwestern Oregon Community College faculty and staff from discussing students' information 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: OAR 589-004-0100 to 589-004-0750, ORS 341.290(17), ORS 180.805, ORS 181A.820 to 181A.829. 

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.

For detailed FERPA information, see https://www.socc.edu/consumer-information.