Responsibilities
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One of the goals of North Seattle College is to create a safe and nurturing learning environment in which you can achieve your academic and career goals. As a student, you can help maintain that environment by following the rules and regulations set forth by the Seattle Colleges District.
In this segment, you can familiarize yourself with the different policies and procedures related to student conduct and academic progress. The material can get a little heavy in places, but remember: it’s your responsibility to know and follow the campus bylaws. Let’s get started.
Student conduct at North Seattle College must conform to district policy and regulations and college procedures. Students are expected to conduct themselves in ways that support freedom of inquiry and expression that is compatible with the orderly operation of college functions.
Misconduct or violations of student conduct for which students are subject to disciplinary action include, but are not limited to, the following items:
- Academic dishonesty that includes cheating, plagiarism* or knowingly furnishing false information to the college
- Intentional falsification of statements and/or filing false charges against the college or members of the college
- Forgery, alteration or misuse of college or district documents, records, funds or identification cards, with the intent to defraud
- Intentional disruption of teaching, administration or other campus activities
- Physical or verbal abuse of any person on college premises or at any college-sponsored functions; or conduct which threatens or endangers the safety and health of any individual
- Theft from, or damage to, the college premises and/or to property of a member of the college community
- Possession, use or furnishing on college premises of alcohol, controlled substances or unlawful drugs
- Failure to comply with the direction of campus employees acting in the performance of their duties
- Violation of published college/district regulations
- Possession of firearms
- Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys to any campus premises or unauthorized entry to, or use of, campus premises
- Theft or other abuse of computer time
*To plagiarize means to steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as your own without giving credit to the source.
North Seattle College upholds the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. NSC will only disclose information about a student’s education records to that student, unless written consent has been provided to release information to another person.
The two most common ways that FERPA affects students:
- Students are required to show a photo ID before their educational record can be released by any NSC employee.
- Information will only be released to a parent or other relative if written consent has been provided to NSC.
Students are expected to make satisfactory academic progress while enrolled at North Seattle College. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. Students who do not meet this standard may be subject to corrective actions.
There are three steps for Student Progress: Academic Alert, Academic Probation and Academic Suspension.
Academic Alert
If the cumulative GPA drops below 2.0 for the first time, the student will be sent a letter that encourages them to meet with a faculty coordinator, academic advisor, counselor or specific program advisor/coordinator.
Academic Probation
If the cumulative GPA is below 2.0 a second time, the student will be placed on Academic Probation and required to see an advisor before registering for the next quarter’s classes, pending the development of a student success plan.
Academic Suspension
If the cumulative GPA is below 2.0 for the third time, the student will be suspended for at least four consecutive quarters and sent a letter notifying them of the terms of the suspension and the appeal process. Additionally, a hold is placed on registration.
Complaint Process
If you have a complaint about a college employee or another student, you should follow the complaint process:
Step 1: Attempt to Resolve the Complaint Informally
- First, talk directly with the college employee.
- If this does not provide a satisfactory result, the next step is to discuss the complaint with the employee’s immediate supervisor.
- Investigation/Fact-Finding. It is essential to provide the following information:
- The facts or evidence surrounding the complaint
- What the complainant has done to try to resolve the complaint
- A proposed resolution to resolve the complaint
Step 2: Resolving a Formal Complaint
If the complaint remains unresolved after following the above informal process, you may then file a formal complaint. Here’s how it works:
- Filing of the complaint
- Respondent has opportunity to reply
- Opportunity to resolve
- Resolution conference between the complainant, the respondent and the respondent’s supervisor
- Appealing of the result if resolution is unsatisfactory
Grade Complaints
A formal grade complaint must be filed no later than the last day of the quarter that follows the quarter that the disputed grade was received. For example, if the disputed grade occurred in a fall quarter course, then the student has until the last day of winter quarter to file a formal grade complaint.
The formal grade complaint process will follow the same timeline as the formal complaint process.
A complaint must include all supporting documentation indicating grade received, together with (a) the reason for the complaint, specifying as completely and as accurately as possible, (b) all pertinent performance scores and attendance data and (c) a copy of the course syllabus.
The evaluation of course mastery is exclusively within the province of the instructor, and so a grade change may be initiated only by that instructor. However, if a formal grade is ultimately reviewed by the vice president of instruction and they find that the grade was issued for an improper reason or was arbitrary and capricious, or otherwise unlawful, the vice president may change the grade in the records of the college.
Seattle Colleges recognizes that everyone plays a role to ensure we create and maintain an environment where students and employees are free of harassment and discrimination and bullying.
We all must:
- Work together to prevent any occurrence of harassment or discrimination and bullying.
- End harassment and discrimination and bullying if it occurs.
- Remedy the effects of discrimination and harassment and bullying on the victim and on the community.
In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Seattle Colleges does not tolerate sexual harassment or discrimination. It is Seattle Colleges’ goal to maintain a respectful environment that is free from harassment, discrimination, sexual violence, rape, bullying and hazing. The district’s Policy and Procedure 419 defines its process for investigating and responding to reports of sexual harassment and sexual discrimination
Any employee, student, applicant, or visitor who believes that he or she has been the subject of discrimination or harassment should report the incident or incidents to the Title IX/EEO coordinator identified in the corresponding procedures. If the complaint is against that coordinator, the complainant should report the matter to the college president’s or chancellor’s office for referral to an alternate designee.