Cañada College Student Handbook

STUDENT RIGHT TO KNOW AND CAMPUS SECURITY ACT

In order to make Cañada College a safe and pleasant environment for students and employees, the College has established procedures incompliance with Federal Public Law 101-542 (Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act). Persons seeking information concerning Cañada campus law enforcement procedures, crime prevention efforts, and crime statistics should contact Campus Security, Building 13,
Room 28, or call 306-3420.

In compliance with the Student-Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-542), it is the policy of the San Mateo County Community College District and Cañada College to make available its completion and transfer rates to all current and prospective students. Beginning in Fall 1998, a cohort of all certificate-, degree-, and transfer-seeking first-time, full-time students were tracked over a three-year period. Their completion and transfer rates are listed below. These rates do not represent the success rates of the entire student population at Cañada College, nor do they account for student outcomes occurring after this three-year tracking period. Based upon the cohort defined above, 28.3 percent attained a certificate or degree or became 'transfer prepared' during a three-year period, from Fall 1998 to Spring 2001. Students who are 'transfer-prepared' have completed 56 transferable units with a GPA of 2.0 or better. Based on the cohort defined above, 38.7 percent transferred to another postsecondary institution, (UC, CSU, or another California Community College) prior to attaining a degree, certificate, or becoming 'transfer-prepared' during a five-semester period, from Spring 1999 to Spring 2001. More information about Student Right-to-Know Rates and how they should be interpreted can be found at the California Community Colleges "Student Right-to-Know Information Clearinghouse Website" located at http://srtk.cccco.edu.

[ return to Student Life | College Policies and Procedures ]

SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF STUDENTS

SUSPENSION
The termination of student status for a definite period of time. A suspended student may not be present on campus and is denied College privileges including class attendance and all other student or College granted privileges.

SUMMARY SUSPENSION
Limited to that period of time necessary to insure that the school is protected from the immediate possibility of violence, disorder or threat to the safety of persons or property. Summary suspension is not necessarily considered a disciplinary action against the student.

DISCIPLINARY SUSPENSION
A temporary termination of student status and includes exclusion from classes, privileges or activities for a specified period of time as stipulated in the written notice of suspension.
The President of the College or his/her designee may suspend a student, as deemed appropriate, for any of the following time periods:

1. From one or more classes for a period of up to ten days.
2. From one or more classes for the remainder of the school semester or session.
3. From all classes and activities of the College for one or more semesters or sessions.
In cases involving disciplinary suspension:
1. The student shall be informed of the nature of the violations and\or actions which constitute the basis for the suspension.
2. The student shall have the opportunity to examine any materials upon which the charges are based.
3. The student shall be allowed to present his/her evidence refuting the charges to the College President or his/her designee.
4. A letter explaining the terms and conditions of the suspension shall be sent to the student's address of record. The student's instructors and counselor shall be informed in writing of the suspension.

At the end of the period of suspension, the student must with the Vice President of Student Services before returning to classes.
A student under suspension at any District College may not enroll in any other District College during the period of suspension.
The President of the College shall report all suspensions of students to the Chancellor-Superintendent.
If the suspended student is a minor, the parent or guardian shall be notified in writing by the President of the College or his/her designee.

EXPULSION
Expulsion of a student is a permanent termination of student status and all attending rights and privileges. Expulsion of a student is accomplished by action of the Board on recommendation of the College President officer and the Chancellor-Superintendent. An expelled student shall not be allowed to register in any subsequent semester without the approval of the President of the College.

1. The President of the College shall forward to the Chancellor-Superintendent a letter of recommendation for expulsion which includes a brief statement of charges and a confidential statement of background and evidence relating to the charge(s).
2. The Chancellor-Superintendent shall review the recommendation for expulsion with the District Attorney.
3. The Chancellor-Superintendent, as Secretary for the Board, shall forward a letter to the student by certified mail advising him/her of the charges and of the intention of the Board to hold an executive session to consider his/her expulsion. Unless the student requests a public hearing in writing within 48 hours after receipt of the aforesaid letter, the hearing shall be conducted in an executive session.
4. The student is entitled to be present during consideration of the case and may be accompanied by a representative. The student has the right to examine any materials upon which charges against him/her are based, and shall be given the opportunity to present his/her evidence refuting the charges to the Board.
5. The report of final action taken by the Board in public session shall be made a part of the public record and forwarded to the student. Other documents and materials shall be regarded as confidential and will be made public only if the student requests a public hearing.

[ return to Student Life | College Policies and Procedures ]

TYPES OF DISIPLINARY ACTION
Decisions regarding the following types of disciplinary action are the responsibility of the Dean of the University Center. Unless the immediate application of disciplinary action is essential, such action will not be taken until the established appeal procedures found in Rules and Regulations, Section 7.73, have been completed.

WARNING - A faculty or staff member may give notice to a student that continuation or repetition of specified conduct may be cause for further disciplinary action.

TEMPORARY EXCLUSION - A faculty or staff member may remove a student who is in violation of the guidelines for student conduct for the duration of the class period or activity during which the violation took place and, if deemed necessary, for the day following. The professor shall immediately report such removal to the College chief executive officer or his/her designee for appropriate action.

CENSURE - The Dean of the University Center Services or designee may verbally reprimand a student or may place on record a written statement which details how a students' conduct violates a District or College regulation. The student receiving such a verbal or written statement shall be notified that such continued conduct or further violation of District/College rules may result in further disciplinary action.

CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION - The Dean of the University Center Services or designee may cancel a student's registration in the event of falsification of educational and/or financial records and related documents or for failure to meet financial obligations to the District.

DISCIPLINARY PROBATION - The Vice President of Student Services or designee may place a student on disciplinary probation for a period not to exceed one semester. Repetition of the same action or other violations of District/College rules and regulations during the probationary period may be cause for suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary probation may include one or both of the following:
a. Removal from any or all College organizations or offices;
b. Denial of privileges of participating in any or all College or student sponsored activities.

RESTITUTION - The Dean of University Center and Support Services or designee may require a student to reimburse the District for damage to or misappropriation of property. Restitution may take the form of appropriate service to repair or otherwise compensate for damages.
Disciplinary action shall not of itself jeopardize a student's grades nor will the record of such action be maintained in the student's academic files. A student subject to disciplinary action has a right to appeal the decision in accordance with Rules and Regulations Section 7.73.

[ return to Student Life | College Policies and Procedures ]

WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASSES
Students wishing to withdraw from a course may obtain a Petition to Change Program (add or drop form) from the Office of Admissions and Records, Building 8. Program changes may also be made using SMART (refer to class schedule for availability) or WebSMART. Official withdrawal is the responsibility of the student. A student who does not withdraw in accordance with established procedures may receive a penalty grade. A student may withdraw from a semester length class during the first four weeks of instruction and no notation will be made on the student's academic record. In courses of less than a regular semester's duration, a student may withdraw prior to the completion of 30 percent of the period of instruction and no notation will be made on the student's academic record.

After the fourth week of instruction, a student may withdraw from a semester length class, whether passing or failing, at any time through the last day of the fourteenth week of instruction and a "W" grade shall be recorded on the student's academic record. In courses of less than a regular semester's duration, a student may withdraw prior to the completion of 75 percent of the period of instruction and a "W" grade shall be recorded on the student's academic record.

The academic record of a student who remains in class beyond the time periods set forth above must reflect an authorized symbol other than "W" (see "Grades, Grade Points). A student who must withdraw for verifiable extenuating circumstances after the deadline (i.e., personal illness, automobile accident, death or severe illness in the immediate family or other severe physical or emotional hardship) may petition the Vice President of Instruction for an exception to the policy. Any extenuating circumstances must be verified in writing (i.e. letter from physician, official accident report, obituary notice, etc.).

MILITARY WITHDRAWAL
Military Withdrawal may be requested when a student who is a member of an active or reserve United States military service receives orders compelling a withdrawal from courses. Upon verification of such orders, a military withdrawal symbol (MW) will be assigned for each course if the withdrawal occurs after the period during which no notation is made for withdrawals on the student's record. Military withdrawals are not counted in progress probation and dismissal calculations. Students granted military withdrawal