Processes & Policies

Policy Statement

It is the policy of the COCC Board of Directors that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, color, race, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status in any educational programs, activities, or employment. Persons having questions about equal opportunity and nondiscrimination should contact the COCC Human Resources office at (541) 383-7218.

• Operating Principals

  COCC prohibits and actively discourages discrimination against people with disabilities. Toward this end, the College community will continue to develop training and resources to promote sensitivity and awareness of disability issues.
  
  The College will organize its Student Accessibility Services in a way that promotes self-determination for people with disabilities and that engages the entire campus community in access issues.
  
  In order to respect the independence, rights, and dignity of people with disabilities, requesting an accommodation or identifying oneself as having a disability will be voluntary. In accordance with data privacy laws and established College regulations, the College will treat all personal data with confidentiality.
  
  The office of Student Accessibility Services is open to COCC's faculty, staff, and students as a resource on disability issues.

• Your Civil Rights

  As a student with a disability, you have certain rights that are guaranteed to you by law. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states that "no otherwise qualified handicapped individual shall, solely by reason of his/her handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance". This means that you will not be denied access to any class or to class material solely on the basis of your disability.
  
  Some laws outlining the protections for persons with disabilities have used the word 'handicapped' to describe such individuals. This handbook has used the word 'disabled'. A person with a disability is one whose disabling condition, physical or mental, substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as walking, seeing, speaking, or learning.
  
  Central Oregon Community College complies with Section 504 and the ADA by:

  • Ensuring that treatment of students is free from discrimination in programs of academic and occupational training, counseling, tutoring, academic advising, financial aid, physical education, recreation and other extracurricular activities
  • Ensuring that treatment of students is free from discrimination in programs of academic and occupational training, counseling, tutoring, academic advising, financial aid, physical education, recreation and other extracurricular activities
  • Ensuring that its educational programs and activities are free from discrimination by providing certain accommodations and auxiliary aids, such as note takers, extended test time, alternative format materials, computer access, etc.
  • Making facilities as barrier free as possible.

• Complaint (grievance) Resolution Procedure

  Students with disabilities who have a grievance (complaint) with a staff or faculty member, or with a COCC policy, should consider the following process to gain a resolution of their grievance.
  
  1. If you believe that you have experienced discrimination because of your disability in any class or because of any procedure of the college, you should bring this alleged discrimination to the attention of the instructor or the individual involved.
  
  The Coordinator of Student Accessibility Services is prepared to provide assistance by consulting with you and by acting as liaison between students and other campus individuals.
  
  The Coordinator of SAS can also help you identify the most appropriate office or individual to resolve the problem and can provide telephone numbers or contact names. This process usually results in a mutually satisfactory resolution and is often the quickest and most direct route to a solution.
  
  2. If you continue to believe your rights have been violated, it is then appropriate to follow the College's formal Concerns Procedure outlined below. The Coordinator of SAS can assist in communicating the problem and act as a liaison. See Student Accessibility Services - COCC Complaint and Concerns Procedure.
  
  3. If your complaint is with the Coordinator of SAS, you are encouraged to discuss your concern and options for redress directly with the Vice President for Instruction.
  
  4. If you have filed an official grievance through the COCC Concerns Procedure, and you are not satisfied with the results, you may also file your complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.

• Disclosure Regarding Services and Confidentiality

  The purpose of the office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is to assist individuals who experience disability with accessing campus programs and services. SAS meets this goal by providing academic adjustments and auxiliary aids afforded by law under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, and in accordance with college processes. 

  When requesting accommodations, your responsibilities include:

  • Providing documentation from a qualified professional that identifies the nature of your disability and outlines the functional limitations related to that condition;
  • Paying for any medical/psychological assessments and/or record request fees;
  • Requesting your accommodations from SAS each term;
  • Following the accommodation procedures as described in the SAS Guidebook for Students with Disabilities;
  • Communicating with each of your instructors regarding your accommodation needs as outlined in the Letter of Accommodation;
  • Following the student Code of Conduct and maintaining the Standards of Satisfactory Academic progress as outlined in the COCC Catalog;
  • Contacting SAS if you cannot make any scheduled SAS appointment;
  • Resolving accommodations/services disagreements as outlined in the SAS Guidebook for Students with Disabilities. 

  SAS responsibilities include:

  • Determining eligibility for SAS services based on disability documentation and functional limitations;
  • Providing appropriate and reasonable academic accommodations and support services;
  • Disability counseling services related to disability management and adjusting to college, and how your disability may impact your access to college programs;
  • Referrals to, and collaboration with, college faculty, staff and programs;
  • Referrals to off-campus services and resources;
  • Collaborating with other professionals that are working with you regarding your disability, (i.e. your doctor, therapist, and/or vocational rehabilitation counselor);
  • Maintaining confidential SAS records while you attend COCC, and for a period of three years.  

  Confidentiality

  Discussions with your Coordinator of SAS are generally considered confidential within SAS. There are five (5) exceptions to confidentiality:

  • If you have signed a consent form that authorizes release of information;
  • If the Coordinator believes that you are going to harm or endanger yourself or others (including children or the elderly), he/she is required to notify the endangered individual(s), the proper authorities, and/or officials;
  • If the Coordinator, SAS, or COCC is sued or court-ordered and a properly-issued subpoena is received;
  • If there is a legitimate educational purpose to support the disclosure of personally identifiable information (e.g., student identification number, date of birth, address, etc..) to other offices at COCC;
  • Consultation with COCC professionals regarding your disability needs and your request for services. 

  Use, Retention, and Re-release of Records

  • Disability documentation is secured in SAS and does not become part of your academic records;
  • When a student is no longer enrolled at COCC, SAS records are kept for three (3) years;
  • SAS does not re-release records. With your consent, SAS may release records generated by our office.

• Selecting a Notetaker

  • Good note takers identify and record all the principal points made by the instructor. They determine which points are secondary and which are incidental, and record the secondary points.

  • A note taker needs to be a person who does not miss class and who takes detailed notes in legible handwriting.

  • Good note takers need to be enthusiastic students, who are excited by learning and who want others to experience the same excitement.

  • Note takers need to understand how to organize on paper and be able to hear the lecture or class presentation and synthesize the information in notes.

  • Note takers should be self-confident and able to accept suggestions as well as self-starters and independent learners.

  • Notes should be written with consideration for the student with a disability who will receive them.

  • Note takers should be punctual, dependable, persistent, organized and good time managers.
  • For personal safety reasons, students should restrict their out of class meetings with note takers and anyone they do not know well to public locations such as the library and cafeteria.