Cañada College Student Handbook

TEMPORARY LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Students who will be absent for more than one week should notify their professors. If the cause of the absence is due to health reasons, the College Nurse should also be notified.

EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE/WITHDRAWAL FROM COLLEGE
College policy permits the granting of a leave of absence to students who find it necessary to withdraw from all of their courses for reasons involving extenuating circumstances. For the purpose of this policy, only cases of verified accident, illness or other extraordinary circumstances, beyond the control of the student, will be considered.

1. A petition for an Official Leave of Absence may be filed at any time during the semester. Circumstances warranting the leave must be verified and/or documented, where applicable.
2. After 75% of the semester has passed, all petitions for an Official Leave of Absence, along with all supporting documentation, must be reviewed by the Academic Standards and Policies Committee to determine eligibility. Students will be notified within seven calendar days of the committee's decision.
3. Students who have completed a short course or completed units in a variable unit course prior to the effective date of the Leave of Absence will be issued those units and will be liable for any applicable fees.
4. Courses for which a student receives a "W" as a result of receiving an Official Leave of Absence will not be included in the computation of academic progress.
Petitions for an Official Leave of Absence are not granted automatically and must be filed, along with all supporting documentation, to avoid the possibility of receiving penalty grades.

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NONEVALUATIVE SYMBOLS

I - Incomplete - This symbol is to be used in case of incomplete academic work for unforeseeable, emergency, and justifiable reasons. Conditions for the removal of the "Incomplete" shall be set forth by the professor in a written record which also indicates the grade to be assigned in lieu of removal. The student will receive a copy of this record and a copy will be filed with the Office of Admissions and Records. A final grade will be assigned by the professor when the stipulated work has been completed and evaluated. In the event that the work is not completed within the prescribed time period, the grade previously determined by the professor will be entered in the permanent record by the Office of Admissions and Records.
An "Incomplete" must be made up no later than one year following the end of the term in which it was assigned. Established college procedures may be utilized to request a time extension in cases involving unusual circumstances. Students who have received an "Incomplete" may not register in the same course during the time period in which the "Incomplete" is in effect. The "I" shall not be used in the computation of grade point average.
IP - In Progress - This symbol is to be used in the student's permanent record to confirm enrollment and to indicate that the class extends beyond the normal end of the term. It indicates that work is "in progress" and that the assignment of unit credit and grade will be given when the course is completed. The "IP" shall not be used in the computation of grade point average.
RD - Report Delayed - This symbol is to be used only by the Office of Admissions and Records for the purpose of indicating that there has been a delay in reporting the grade due to circumstances beyond the student's control. It is to be replaced by a permanent symbol as soon as possible. The "RD" shall not be used in the computation of grade point average.
W - Withdrawal - See "Withdrawal from class(es)"
MW - Military Withdrawal - This symbol can be used when a student who is a member of an active or reserve United Stated military service receives orders compelling a withdrawl from courses. Upon verification of such orders, a MW symbol may be used. Military withdrawals shall not be counted in progress probation and dismissal calculations.

PET POLICY
Pets are required to be on a leash at all times while on campus unless they are assisted living companions. Absolutely no pets are allowed in the Cafeteria per the San Mateo County Health Code unless they are trained assisted living companions.

POLICY ON A DRUG FREE CAMPUS

The San Mateo County Community College District and Cañada College, in compliance with the Federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, prohibits the use, possession, sale or distribution of alcohol, narcotics, dangerous or illegal drugs or other controlled substances, on District or College property or at any function sponsored by the District or Colleges.

Students found to be in violation of the drug-free campus policy on any District property will be subject to disciplinary measures up to and including possible cancellation of registration.

Persons seeking further information concerning this policy or the health risks and effects associated with alcohol and narcotics or other dangerous or illegal drugs should contact the Health Center, Building 5, Room 213.

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UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION POLICY
The policy of San Mateo County Community College District is to provide an educational and work environment in which no person shall be unlawfully denied access to, the benefits of, or unlawfully subject to discrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, race, color, or physical or mental disability, in any program or activity that is funded directly by, or that receives any financial assistance from the State Chancellor or Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. In so providing, San Mateo County Community College District hereby implements the provisions of California Government Code sections 11135 through 11139.5, the Sex Equity in Education Act (Ed. Code, § 66250 et seq.), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. § 12100 et seq.) and the Age Discrimination Act (42 U.S.C. § 6101). The comprehensive policy and complaint procedures are included in the document titled, "Unlawful Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policies and Complaint Procedures." The officer, designated by the District to receive and investigate student complaints of unlawful discrimination is the Vice-President of Student Services at each college. The Office of the Vice President of Student Services is located in Building 1, Room 1315. Copies of the San Mateo County Community College District Policy on Unlawful Discrimination are available at the Office of the Vice President of Student Services. For more information call (650) 738-4333.

TIMELINE FOR FILING OF INITIAL COMPLAINTS
Complaints of unlawful discrimination shall be filed within one year of the date on which the complainant knew or should have known of the facts underlying the allegation of unlawful discrimination.

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PRIVACY RIGHTS OF STUDENTS ANNUAL NOTIFICATION

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (Sec. 438, P.L. 93-380, as amended) requires educational institutions to provide access to official education records directly related to the student; an opportunity for a hearing to challenge such records on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate; that the College must obtain the written consent of the student before releasing personally identifiable information about the student except to those persons or agencies specified by the Act; and that these rights extend to present and former students of the college.
The Act provides that the College may release certain types of "Directory Information" unless the student submits a request in writing to the Vice President of Student Services that certain or all such information not be released without his/her consent. Such restrictions will remain in effect until a written request from the student is submitted to the Vice President of Student Services.

"Directory Information" in the San Mateo County Community College District includes: (1) student's name and city of residence; (2) participation in recognized activities and sports; (3) dates of enrollment; (4) degrees and awards received; (5) the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended; and (6) height and weight of members of athletic teams.

A copy of the College Policy, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (Sec. 438, P.L. 93-380) and other pertinent information and forms are available in the Office of Admissions and Records, during normal business hours. The Academic Standards and Policies Review Committee considers requests for waivers and/or exceptions with respect to academic policies. Inquiries should be directed to the office of Admissions and Records.

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