Dodge City Community College

Transcription

1 Dodge City Community College Quality Checkup Visit November 11-13, 2009 Federal Compliance Materials Submitted to the Academic Quality Improvement Program The Higher Learning Commission North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Dodge City Community College 2501 North 14 th Avenue Dodge City, Kansas

2 DODGE CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE: QUALITY CHECKUP VISIT NOVEMBER 11-13, 2009 FEDERAL COMPLIANCE MATERIALS CREDITS, PROGRAM LENGTH, AND TUITION DCCC Credits DCCC Program Length DCCC Tuition and Comparison with Peer Institutions STUDENT COMPLAINT PROCESS Grievance Procedure Grade Appeal Procedure TRANSFER OF CREDITS Students Transferring Into DCCC Students Transferring From DCCC VERIFICATION OF ONLINE STUDENT IDENTITY TITLE IV COMPLIANCE Program Participation Agreement Financial Responsibility Requirements Student Cohort Default Rate Default Rate Management Plan Campus Crime Rate Report Satisfactory Academic Progress Completion Rates Graduation Rates Attendance Policies Contractual Relationships ADVERTISING AND RECRUITMENT MATERIALS Documents with References to Accreditation Marketing and Recruitment PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM ACCREDITATIONS Institutional Accreditation Program Accreditations Dual Institutional Accreditation THIRD PARTY COMMENT Process for Soliciting Third Party Comment Sample Statement Compliance Report 2

3 CREDITS, PROGRAM LENGTH, AND TUITION DCCC CREDITS DCCC operates under the authority of the Kansas State Board of Regents, which establishes the criteria for defining credit hour values. In May 2004, the Board formally established the following guidelines to apply to all Kansas universities, colleges, community colleges and technical colleges: A minimum of 750 lecture minutes constitutes one credit hour. A minimum of 115 combined lab minutes constitutes one credit hour A minimum of 2,700 minutes of occupational work experience constitutes one credit hour. This can be in the form of an internship, occupational work experience, on-the-job training, clinical experience or a similar live work experience. To clarify the above, the Board stipulates the following. The lecture is a period of classroom activity devoted to formal instruction. A laboratory class consists of educational activity in which students will be carrying out experiments, perfecting skills, or practicing activities under the direction of a faculty member. Occupational work experience is a learning activity that is related to a student s occupational objectives in which a live work experience is integrated with academic instruction. This may include such concepts as internships, field experiences, clinical practices, or other work based learning in which the student applies previously or concurrently learned concepts to practical work situations. In practice, these guidelines mean that fifteen clock hours of lecture constitute one credit hour and a minimum of twenty-two and one-half clock hours of laboratory constitute one credit hour. DCCC PROGRAM LENGTH DCCC offers courses in the Fall and Spring on an eighteen-week semester basis. Class length is generally fifty minutes. During each semester the college may offer special interest courses on a mini-semester basis. Class meeting times may be adjusted to suit individual courses. However, each class complies with the guidelines established by the Board of Regents. During Summer, the college offers courses on a mixed schedule of meeting times as determined by the nature of the course being offered. As with mini-semester classes, Summer courses are carefully structured to meet Regents requirements. DCCC offers five associate level degrees: Associate of Arts Associate of Science Associate of Science in Nursing Associate of Applied Science Associate of General Studies Each degree requires a minimum of 62 credit hours and a G.P.A. of at least 2.0. The exact distribution of required courses varies from degree to degree, but each contains a core requirement of basic skills classes in composition, mathematics, and speech. With the exception of the Associate of Science, each degree also requires a course in computer literacy. In addition to these degrees, DCCC offers a variety of certificate programs in technical areas, requiring a minimum of 30 credits or more. Student in Allied Health may receive a Practical Nurse Diploma. Because the curriculum is more concentrated on a specific technical skill, these Compliance Report 3

4 programs do not necessarily carry the same core requirements as the degree programs. Further information is available on the college website, Degree requirement sheets will be available for review during the visit. DCCC offers continuing education and specialized training through the Center for Business, Technology, and Continuing Education. These courses do not carry credit hour value and can not be applied towards a degree, certificate, or diploma. DCCC TUITION AND COMPARISON WITH PEER INSTITUTIONS DCCC applies tuition and fees on a credit hour basis. The charges are publicly available in multiple documents used for recruiting, advertising, and admissions. The following chart details tuition and fees for the previous three years, comparing them to the college s most immediate competition and to statewide averages for community colleges. TUITION AND FEES: Dodge City In-state tuition $35.00 $35.00 $35.00 Out-of-state tuition $40.00 $45.00 $45.00 International tuition $ $ $ Fees per credit hour $35 in-county; $40 in-state; $45 out of state and international $35 in-county; $40 in-state; $45 out of state and international $35 in-county; $40 in-state; $45 out of state and international Garden City In-state tuition $39.00 $39.00 $41.00 Out-of-state tuition $65.00 $65.00 $65.00 International tuition $65.00 $65.00 $65.00 Fees per credit hour $15.00 $18.00 $15.00 Pratt In-state tuition $42.00 $44.00 $45.00 Out-of-state tuition $42.00 $44.00 $47.00 International tuition $85. $87.00 $89.00 Fees per credit hour $29.00 $29.00 $29.00 Seward County In-state tuition $40.00 $40.00 $40.00 Out-of-state tuition $63.00 $63.00 $63.00 International tuition $63.00 $63.00 $63.00 Fees per credit hour $22.00 $22.00 $22.00 Kansas State Average In-state tuition $43.00 $44.00 $45.00 Out-of-state tuition $87.00 $81.00 $83.00 International tuition $ $ $ Fees per credit hour, in-state $21.00 $20.00 $22.00 Fees per credit hour, out-of-state $22.00 $21.00 $25.00 Fees per credit hour, international $24.00 $24.00 $22.00 Source: Kansas Community Colleges Enrollment and Financial Statistics; 2007, 2008, 2009 Editions. Compliance Report 4

5 STUDENT COMPLAINT POLICIES Student responsibilities are clearly described in the Code of Conduct printed in the Student Calendar/Handbook/Planner. The Code also defines procedures for conduct review hearings as well as a detailed account of student rights. COMPLAINT PROCEDURE DCCC fully supports the rights of students to express formal complaints against institutional policies, procedures, activities, staff, and/or other students. The College outlines its Grievance Procedure in the Student Calendar/Handbook/Planner. The procedure reads as follows: A grievance may concern an alleged violation of school policies, alleged infringement of the student s rights and other such problems concerning students, college staff, and authorized college activities. The Dean of Students shall function as the grievance officer and may involve other college officials as deemed necessary. The procedure to process a complaint or grievance is as follows: The student must attempt to rectify the grievance with the supervisor of the area in which the alleged violation occurred within ten working days. Every effort will be made to resolve the grievance at the lowest possible level. The student should consult with the appropriate supervisor (e.g. instructor, sponsor or director) and attempt to solve the grievance through informal discussion. If the student feels the problem has not been solved, a written grievance should be submitted to the Dean of Students within ten college working days from the time the original complaint was filed at the previous level. The Dean of Students shall schedule a conference within ten college working days. After the conference, the Dean will, within five working days, inform the student in writing of any decision made and the reasons for making the decision. The student may appeal in writing to the President of the College. The appeal must be based on either new evidence or basic procedural unfairness. The written appeal must be filed within five working days after the Dean has issued his/her written decision. After hearing an appeal, the President of the College shall notify the student in writing of the final decision within ten college working days. Student attempts to rectify grievance with supervisor within 10 working days Problem solved? N Written grievance submitted to Dean of Students within 10 working days. Conference scheduled Conference held. Dean of Students informs student in writing of any decision made and reasons within 5 days of conference Problem solved? N Written grievance submitted to President within 5 working days of previous conference President informs student in writing of any decision made and reasons within 10 days of conference Y Y End of grievance End of grievance Compliance Report 5

6 GRADE CHANGE PROCEDURE In addition to the preceding complaint process, DCCC maintains a specific process for students who wish to appeal a grade. The policy appears in the Catalog and the Student Calendar/Handbook/Planner. The policy reads as follows in the Catalog: The student retains the right to appeal a final grade. To appeal a final grade, the student should first contact the instructor who assigned the grade. If the matter remains unresolved, the student should then contact the appropriate Dean. If still unresolved, the matter will be determined by a committee composed of the Dean, an instructor chosen by the student, and an instructor chosen by the instructor who assigned the grade. If the instructor who assigned the grade is no longer on campus, the appropriate Dean will choose an instructor. The decision of this committee shall be considered final. If a student requests a change more than a year after the original grade was posted, the Instructional Council must also approve the petition. The policy applies to all courses in a semester and can be invoked only for DCCC courses. It may not be applied after graduation to courses attempted prior to graduation. Student contacts instructor to try to resolve grade issue Grade issue resolved? N Student contacts appropriate Dean Grade issue resolved? Committee is formed & meets to review grade issue; their decision is final. N Y Y End of grievance End of grievance The student also retains the right to appeal to the Instructional Council for a retroactive withdrawal from all courses for a given semester. However, the student may only make such an appeal on the grounds that he or she was unable to withdraw from classes under customary procedures during the semester in question. A student may not make such an appeal to enhance his or her transcript. The student must provide verifiable evidence of the causes for failing to withdraw properly. Normally, the student must make the appeal within one calendar year of the semester in question. If the petition is granted, the grades are changed to W through the usual procedures. Less than one year since original grade was posted and before student s graduation? N Instructional Council review Final decision End of Process Y End of process Compliance Report 6

7 TRANSFER OF CREDIT STUDENTS TRANSFERING INTO DCCC DCCC accepts transfer students from other institutions under the following guidelines as printed in the Catalog and Student Calendar/Handbook//Planner: Students transferring to DCCC from another post-secondary institution are required to follow the same admission procedures stated for admission of first-time students. Students on academic probation from another institution may be accepted on probation at DCCC. The probationary students will have one semester to bring their academic standing to the required level. Students on disciplinary dismissal will not be admitted until meeting with the Dean of Students. To qualify for any degree, students must earn their last twelve hours of credit at DCCC. Students who enter or transfer into DCCC with foreign academic documentation are required to have that documentation evaluated by World Education Services (WES). WES verifies institutional accreditation status and completes a course-by-course evaluation containing the following: a description of credentials, including name, year awarded, name of institution attended, and major of field of study. It also provides the U.S. equivalent for each credential and lists all post-secondary subjects with their corresponding value expressed in the terms of U.S. semester credit and grade equivalents. DCCC abides by the best practices established by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. STUDENTS TRANSFERING FROM DCCC DCCC participates in a Transfer and Articulation Agreement with the other institutions within the Kansas Regents System both community colleges and universities. The following statement appears in the college Catalog and reads as follows in its entirety: Kansas Public Community Colleges Kansas Regents Universities A student who completes an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree based on a baccalaureate-oriented sequence at Dodge City Community College, and whose program of study has met the requirements of the Kansas Public Community College- Kansas Public University Transfer Agreement and Articulation Guide, will be accepted with junior standing and will have satisfied the general education requirements of all Kansas public universities. Students transferring to Kansas Public Universities who have not completed an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree will be given general education credit for any articulated general education course completed at the community college. This voluntary commitment reaffirms the intent to cooperate with sister colleges and universities in matters of student transfer and articulation for the ultimate benefit of all transfer students in the State of Kansas. More specific information is available from admissions counselors and faculty advisors. Points of Clarification 1. This Agreement applies only to Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degree transfers from state and regionally accredited public community colleges in Kansas. The Compliance Report 7

8 agreement does not include transfers from non-accredited community colleges or any other colleges. 2. Transfer students accepted for admission at Kansas public universities with the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree will automatically be given junior standing with the understanding that: a) Each receiving institution has the right to determine admission standards to the various majors in their institutions. b) Transfer students are subject to the same institutional assessment policies and procedures as resident students of the receiving institution. 3. General education is defined as follows: General education provides students with facility in the use of the English language and a broad intellectual experience in the major fields of knowledge. It insures that each graduate will have experienced some of the content, method and system of values of the various disciplines which enable humanity to understand itself and its environment at a level of abstraction beyond that found in secondary school studies. Although the following distribution of courses does not correspond to the General Education requirements at any Kansas public university, it will be accepted as having satisfied the general education requirements of all Kansas public universities. A minimum of 45 credit hours of general education with distribution in the following fields will be required. General education hours totaling less than 45 will be accepted, but transfer students must complete the remainder of this requirement before graduation from the receiving institution, which may require an additional semester(s). 12 hours of Basic Skills courses, including: 6 hours of English Composition 3 hours of Public Speaking or Speech Communication 3 hours of college level Mathematics; college algebra and/or statistics will be required of transfer students where University curriculum requires it 12 hours of Humanities courses from at least three of the following disciplines: Art* Theater* Philosophy Music* History Literature *Performance courses are excluded. 12 hours of Social and Behavioral Science courses from at least three of the following disciplines: Sociology Psychology Political Science Economics Geography Anthropology 9 hours of Natural and Physical Science courses from at least two disciplines (lecture with lab). Transcripts of students fulfilling the requirement of this agreement will be appropriately coded by the sending institution. Compliance Report 8

9 4. Because each institution retains its right to define the requirements of a baccalaureate degree, additional courses, not in the transfer agreement, may be required. 5. Other associate degrees and certificates may be awarded for programs which have requirements different from baccalaureate-oriented sequences or a primary objective other than transfer. Students in such programs wishing to transfer to Kansas public universities are to be considered outside of the terms of this agreement. Students attempting to transfer into Technology, Engineering and Architecture programs are considered outside this agreement. It is recommended that and arrangements be developed for the above programs of study. Acceptance of course credit for transfer from such programs will be determined by the receiving institution on the basis of application of the courses to the baccalaureate program in the major field of the student. Credit for equivalent technical courses may be granted by departmental examination. 6. Transfer students preparing for teacher certification must meet the general education requirements as outlined by the State Board of Education. Teacher certification requirements have been incorporated into the degree requirements of Kansas public universities. 7. Foreign Language requirements are viewed as graduation requirements and not as general education requirements for purposes of this agreement. 8. A transfer student may be required to take freshman or sophomore courses to meet particular requirements or course prerequisites of a given major or minor. 9. The spirit of the Agreement indicates that transfer students are to be judged academically in the same way as non-transfer students. VERIFICATION OF ONLINE STUDENT IDENTITY DCCC offers only a limited number of courses entirely online primarily in technical areas. At present, students enrolled in those courses are required to establish a secure login and pass code. This process is in compliance with the Higher Education Act, Section DCCC students have access to the college s Learning Management System using the same procedures. Many courses at DCCC are offered in part using online materials posted on the college s Learning Management System. These materials may include handouts, exercises, exams and links to other Internet sites. The Learning Management System also gives students access to their grades, course schedule, degree requirements, financial records, and related matters. Students must establish a secure login and pass code to access the System. Since 1999, the college has participated in EduKan a consortium of six community colleges that offers instruction via the Internet. Students in those programs are also required to use a secure login and pass code. Major exams are proctored for the sake of security. TITLE IV COMPLIANCE PROGRAM PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT in July 2009 DCCC received its most recent approval from the United States Department of Education, in conjunction with its application The approval is subject to reapplication in March The following materials are part of the first two pages of a fourteen page document. The full agreement will be available during the visit on request. Compliance Report 9

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12 FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS The college does not have outstanding compliance issues related to financial responsibility standards: limitations, suspension, or termination actions, audits, or default rates. Copies of the College s Annual Budget and the most recent audit will be available on request during the visit. STUDENT COHORT DEFAULT RATE DCCC cohort default rates appear below, along with peer competitor, state, and national figures. The data represent the years for which the most recent comparative figures are available Cohort Default Rates: Dodge City Community College 6.7% Garden City Community College 8.4% Pratt Community College 5.5% Seward County Community College 5.8% Kansas 3.9% National 4.5% Dodge City Community College 7.8% Garden City Community College 7.7% Pratt Community College 5.3% Seward County Community College 4.0% Kansas 4.5% National 5.1% Dodge City Community College 6.9% Garden City Community College 4.9% Pratt Community College 8.6% Seward County Community College 5.7% Kansas 3.9% National 4.6% Dodge City Community College 13.5% Garden City Community College 5.2% Pratt Community College 7.8% Seward County Community College 10.0% Kansas 4.5% National 5.2% Source: DEFAULT MANAGEMENT PLAN Purpose: The purpose of this plan is to establish policies and procedures designed to identify students who either do not have the ability or do not have the desire to repay their FFEL loans and to help student borrowers to manage their debt. Every attempt must be made to either change that student s ability to repay, their desire to repay, or to help them to manage their debt. We will intensify our efforts to follow up on students after they leave Dodge City Community College in an effort to help them with deferments and forbearance during repayment. Compliance Report 12

13 1. We will issue delayed payment forms against anticipated FFEL loans for students during their first semester when their file is complete including a completed loan application with all supporting documents. 2. We will package a work component of up to $2,000 in order to help students to consider working before borrowing. This will help students with debt management. 3. We will conduct more intensive one on one FFEL loan counseling in addition to the current on line counseling and testing. We will help students with financial planning, budgets, debt management, and start them on the thought process leading to repayment of the FFEL loan. 4. We will monitor closely the courses that students are taking to insure they are making progress toward a degree. As educators, we are committed to the concept of the classic education and students would have the freedom to take a variety of classes to give them a broad academic experience. However, in some cases, students take courses not in their curriculum simply to qualify for more FFEL loan dollars. An example is a Nursing student who enrolls in Coop Experience when clinical experience is already part of the Nursing curriculum. 5. We will not certify an FFEL loan until students have academic transcripts from all previously attended institutions on file. We cannot tell if a student made satisfactory academic progress at their previous institutions without this information. 6. We will not certify FFEL loans for transfer students who did not maintain satisfactory academic progress at their previous institution until they complete a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 at this institution. All students will be required to have grade and attendance verification completed before we will disburse a loan. They must have at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA and have demonstrated satisfactory attendance. 7. We will not certify FFEL loans for students who have aggregate federal loan indebtedness in excess of $12,500 (2 semesters of freshman level loans, and 4 semesters of sophomore level loans.) According to federal regulations, we may only allow a student three years to complete a two year program. We often have transfer students who have FFEL loan indebtedness in the tens of thousands of dollars and very little demonstrated progress towards a degree or certificate. 8. We may cancel and return FFEL loans for students who change their enrollment status prior to the disbursement of their loans. 9. We will return FFEL loans for students who receive a combination of all I, W, or F grades. These students will lose their financial aid eligibility until they complete a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.0. History has shown us that these students often repeat their unsuccessful behavior during their second semester. 10. We will disburse loans only after the borrower s enrollment, attendance, and academic progress are verified. 11. Exceptions to the above policies may be considered on a case by case basis. Written documentation will be required. Due Process: Students will have a right to due process and be allowed to appeal any decision of the administration by submitting matters of extenuation and mitigation in writing to the Director of Financial Aid. Compliance Report 13

14 In addition, we will document exceptions to the policies and procedures shown above on a case by case basis. We will be open to exceptions in order to accommodate specific individual circumstances. In most cases federal regulations allow us to make exceptions to policy based on documentation of professional judgment. September 14, 1999 February 26, 2004 June 5, 2007 CAMPUS CRIME RATE REPORT DCCC is in compliance with Title IV reporting requirements. The following statements appear in the official college Catalog: Dodge City Community College is in compliance with Section 22 of the Drug Free Schools and Communities Amendments of 1989, Public Law Dodge City Community College is in compliance with the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Acts of 1990, Public Law Security at Dodge City Community College is a shared responsibility between the administration, the students, the campus community, and local law enforcement agencies. While the college takes actions to help increase security, students and visitors must contribute to their own safety by following rules, using common sense, avoiding dangerous situations, and reporting suspicious activity or dangerous situations. Relevant documents are available for review upon request. SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS The following statements regarding academic progress appear in the Student Calendar/Handbook/Planner, The document is widely distributed to students at no cost. Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy and Procedures: These policies and procedures will apply to all students who receive student financial assistance at Dodge City Community College or a previous institution of higher education. The satisfactory academic progress of students will be verified at the close of each term according to the requirements of the U. S. Department of Education, the Kansas State Department of Education and Dodge City Community College. Remedial courses and repeated courses will be considered in order to determine qualitative progress but not quantitative progress. Satisfactory Academic Progress: Full time students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours each term while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 an a 4.0 scale. Full time students have up to six terms to complete an associate degree consisting of 62 credit hours. Full time students enrolled in engineering or health fields have up to seven terms to complete an associate degree consisting of 72 credit hours. Three-quarter time students must complete a minimum of nine credit hours each term while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Three-quarter time students have up to eight terms to complete an associate degree consisting of 62 credit hours. Three-quarter time students enrolled in engineering or health fields have up to Compliance Report 14

15 nine terms to complete an associate degree consisting of 72 credit hours. Half time students must complete a minimum of six credit hours each term while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Half time students have up to twelve terms to complete an associate degree consisting of 62 credit hours. Half time students enrolled in engineering or health fields have up to fourteen terms to complete an associate degree consisting of 72 credit hours. Maximum Credit Hours: Students who are enrolled in a two-year degree or certificate program and have completed 72 credit hours are no longer eligible for student financial assistance at Dodge City Community College. Students who are enrolled in engineering fields or health fields and have completed 84 credit hours are no longer eligible for student financial assistance at Dodge City Community College. Exceptions will be considered and may be granted on a case by case basis when students complete and submit the Request for Exception to Financial Aid Disqualification Due to Hours in Excess of Satisfactory Progress to the Student Financial Assistance Office. Student Financial Assistance Probation: Students who fail to meet the requirements of satisfactory academic progress will be placed on student financial assistance probation for the following semester. Student financial assistance probation is a formal final warning that a student s academic progress is not meeting the standards of Dodge City Community College. Students on student financial assistance probation will be eligible for Title IV student financial assistance upon submission of a completed student financial assistance probation counseling worksheet. In order to have a scholarship reinstated, students must meet the original criteria required in the scholarship award. Student Financial Assistance Disqualification: Students who fail to meet the requirements shown above each semester, while on student financial assistance probation, will be placed on student financial assistance disqualification. Students on student financial assistance disqualification are not eligible for student financial assistance. Students who receive any combination of all I s, W s or F s will be automatically disqualified for the following semester. Student Financial Assistance Eligibility: Students who have been placed on student financial assistance disqualification must complete at least twelve credit hours at their own expense at Dodge City Community College and attain a grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for those twelve credit hours. Students who meet this requirement will have their student financial aid eligibility reestablished and they will be placed on student financial assistance probation for the following semester. If satisfactory academic progress is accomplished during that semester, they will be removed from student financial assistance probation and will be considered in good standing for future student financial aid awards. Compliance Report 15

16 COMPLETION RATES Completion Rates African Hispanic White, Non- Total American Hispanic Dodge City Community College Garden City Community College Pratt Community College Seward County Community College 2005 African Hispanic White, Non- Total American Hispanic Dodge City Community College Garden City Community College Pratt Community College Seward County Community College 2006 African Hispanic White, Non- Total American Hispanic Dodge City Community College Garden City Community College Pratt Community College Seward County Community College Compliance Report 16

17 GRADUATION RATES As with completion and retention rates, DCCC s graduation rates compare favorably with area competitors. The figures below represent the most current, comparable information available. Graduation Rates Total Cohort Dodge City Community College 35% Garden City Community College 34% Pratt Community College 28% Seward County Community College 34% 2005 Total Cohort Dodge City Community College 29% Garden City Community College 32% Pratt Community College 37% Seward County Community College 27% 2006 Total Cohort Dodge City Community College 34% Garden City Community College 34% Pratt Community College 29% Seward County Community College 31% Source: IPEDS. ATTENDANCE POLICIES DCCC adheres to the following policies regarding attendance as adopted by the Board of Trustees in Fall Regular attendance and prompt completion of class work are necessary for maximum success in college. Each student is expected to be present at all classes in which he/she is enrolled. In the event of an absence, the student is responsible for making up the course work. Absences for college-sponsored activities will be recorded as excused if the following steps are completed: The activity sponsor notifies each instructor at least three school days prior to the day(s) the student will be absent (or as soon as possible if the event is rescheduled); The student contacts the instructor and makes definite arrangements for all work at least three school days prior to the absence; The instructor designates assignments and issues a timeline for makeup work; The student completes all assignments as required by the instructor. College-sponsored activities include academic competition, music and drama events, official athletic events, field trips, convocations, and other college-sponsored events as approved by the Dean of Instruction. For all absences other than those for college-sponsored activities, each instructor shall establish the attendance requirements for his/her class. Commonly, a student is allowed the same number of absences as the credit hour value of the course. For example, a student would be allowed threes absences during the semester for a one-hour day class which meets three times a week. For a three-hour night course, the number of allowable Compliance Report 17

18 absences would be one class session during the semester. The individual instructor may allow additional absences at his/her discretion. It is recommended that if a student misses more than the credit hour value of the class, the instructor would contact the student directly and discuss his/her standing in the course. The instructor would also inform the registrar s office as to the student s status in the course. No statement in this policy shall preclude attendance policies that would meet the requirements of an accrediting or governmental agency. CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIPS DCCC does not contract with any outside organization to provide any of its academic programming. While outside partners may provide technical training in some programs, 100% of the academic content in all degree, certificate, and diploma programs is conducted exclusively by the College itself. ADVERTISING AND RECRUITING MATERIALS DOCUMENTS WITH REFERENCES TO ACCREDITATION DCCC states its affiliation with the Higher Learning Commission in four principal documents: Catalog available in print or online at Student Calendar/Handbook//Planner, Board Policy Manual, and DCCC website These documents include the phone number and URL of the Higher Learning Commission. MARKETING AND RECRUITMENT DCCC advertises to prospective students specifically through a variety of traditional means: Catalog, General campus Viewbook, Technical Education Viewbook, Program brochures, Campus visits, Sports Media Guide, and Direct mailings regarding admissions, financial aid, housing, and specific interest activities. The College also communicates to current students and external stakeholders through additional means, making a careful effort to represent itself accurately. Website Local newspapers, Local commercial radio and television, College radio stations KDCC AM 1550 and KONQ FM 91.9, Student Calendar/Handbook//Planner, College television station broadcast locally through The Learning Channel, Miscellaneous materials such as posters, wallet sized sports calendar, and Program specific handbooks. The College communicates to internal stakeholders through a variety of means: Board Policy Handbook, Employee Handbook, Instructional Handbook, Student Calendar/Handbook//Planner, Clips a monthly report of Board Meetings All-campus meetings, Department/program meetings, and Campus . Compliance Report 18

19 PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM ACCREDITATIONS INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION DCCC has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1966, when it first became eligible for accreditation as an independent institution separate from the local school district which had been its organizational authority since The college s statement of status and scope as it appears on the HLC website follows: Dodge City Community College 2501 N. 14th Ave. Dodge City, KS Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Richard K. Burke, President Name change notes: Dodge City College to Dodge City Community College HLC Institution ID: 1276 Current Accreditation Status: Accredited Candidacy Date(s): 1963 Accreditation Date(s): (1966-.) Commission Participation: AQIP PARTICIPANT Year of Last PEAQ Comprehensive Evaluation: Year of Admission to AQIP: 06/21/2004 Year of Last Reaffirmation of Accreditation: None Year of Next Reaffirmation of Accreditation: Year of Last System Appraisal: Year of Next System Appraisal: Due Date of Next Systems Portfolio: 00/00/00 Last Action: 10/11/2006 Legal Status: Public Degrees Awarded (details below): A Stipulations on Affiliation Status: None. Approval of New Degree Sites: Prior Commission approval required. Approval of Distance Education Degrees: Prior Commission approval required for additional degrees beyond the Associate in General Studies, Associate in Arts, and Associate in Science as coordinated under the current EduKan online agreement. Reports Required: None. Other Visits Scheduled: None. DCCC was last accredited by the Kansas State Board of Education in April 1997 in conjunction with the college s HLC visit. A copy of the State s report is available on request. In 1999 the Compliance Report 19

20 Kansas State Board of Regents assumed responsibility for the state s community college system, and DCCC has been subsequently accredited with that Board. The college is a member of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges, the Association of Community College Trustees, the Council of North Central Colleges, the National Commission of Accreditation, the American Council of Education, and the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees. PROGRAM ACCREDITATION Allied Health Programs at DCCC are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission and the Kansas State Board of Nursing. The relevant documents will be available during the visit. Students in individual occupational programs may receive certification at the end of their programs. A full listing will be available on request during the visit. DUAL INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATIONS DCCC does not hold dual institutional accreditations. THIRD PARTY COMMENT PROCESS FOR SOLICITING THIRD PARTY COMMENT In compliance with the policies of the Higher Learning Commission, DCCC has solicited thirdparty comment in preparation for its checkup visit in. The college has used five venues in this process: The college website: The college radio station: KDCC AM 1550 and KONQ FM 91.9, The college television station, Local newspaper: Dodge City Daily Globe, and Public announcements during monthly meetings of the Board of Trustees. SAMPLE STATEMENT SOLICITING THIRD-PARTY COMMENT The following statement appeared in print on the college website and in the local newspaper. A similar statement was read on broadcast media and at the Board of Trustees meetings: Dodge City Community College is seeking comments about the College in preparation for an evaluation visit by its regional accrediting agency. From Wednesday November 11 through Friday 13, 2009 DCCC will undergo a visit by a team representing the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The purpose of the visit is to review the College s ongoing ability to meet commission criterion for accreditation within the Academic Quality Improvement Program. Persons wishing to make comments regarding DCCC should contact the Commission: Public Comment on Dodge City Community College The Higher Learning Commission 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400 Chicago, IL Please be aware that comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. Comments must be in writing and signed. Comments cannot be treated as confidential. Compliance Report 20