College Policies

For policies and procedures on grades, academic standards, withdrawing from classes, and related issues, see “Enrollment Information .” BC policies and procedures are subject to revision without notice. For current information on policies visit www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/.

Adherence to College Policies & Procedures

Bellevue College expects students to be aware of and follow college rules and regulations as published in the catalog, quarterly schedule, college website, student handbook, and other official publications. Students will be held accountable for following all procedures for which they have a responsibility. These include but are not limited to:

• Registration-related activities
• Deadlines
• Payments and refunds
• Grading
• Student Code

In those cases where students have a complaint concerning the college rules and regulations and no clear avenue of appeal is stated, students are encouraged to submit their concerns to the Executive Dean of Instruction for academic matters or to the Vice President of Student Affairs for nonacademic matters. The respective offices will seek the necessary means for providing a student with a decision.

Bellevue College reserves the right to change any provisions or requirements appearing in the catalog or quarterly schedule at any time and to add or withdraw courses without prior notification.

The catalog and quarterly schedule are published for informational purposes only. Every possible effort is made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication. However, the provisions of the catalog and quarterly schedule are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between the student and the college.

Children on Campus

Excerpt from Procedures

As a general rule, employees and students shall not bring children with them to their work sites or to classes. Employees and students may bring children to their work sites and/or classrooms only in special circumstances, and then only upon approval by their instructor (for students) or supervisor (for employees), and upon their compliance with college rules.

1. No employee, student, or visitor to the college shall leave a child unsupervised at the college, nor may such person leave a child with a college employee or student, unless that child is enrolled in an authorized program of the college.
2. Bellevue College offers certain programs and activities targeted towards children, such as Head Start, Parent Education, computer camps, or sports camps. The college provides supervision for children enrolled in these activities. Bellevue College also provides child care in its daycare facility. The college does not supervise children outside of such programs for children which are officially sanctioned by the college; and neither the college nor its employees, agents, or students may accept responsibility to do so on behalf of the college.
3. Unsupervised children on the Bellevue College campus will be referred to Public Safety for assistance, and may be asked to leave.
4. This procedure pertains to all employees and persons who visit the college, participate in classes, and/or programs, events, or other activities.

Classroom Behavioral Standards

A common, campus-wide minimum standard regarding classroom behavior, student cheating, stealing, and plagiarizing provides enough autonomy for instructors and programs to set their own standards.

It is the instructor’s responsibility to clearly articulate to the students what is considered appropriate and inappropriate behavior in the classroom and what action will be taken in the case of inappropriate classroom behavior. It is recommended that this be done through the course syllabus.

Complaint Policy

It is the policy of Bellevue College to provide clear and accurate information, provide accessible services, and offer excellent educational programs and quality service. Students have both the right to receive clear information and fair application of college grading policies, standards, rules, and requirements as well as the responsibility to comply with them in their relationships with faculty and staff members. The purpose of this policy and procedures is to provide a systematic way in which to express and resolve misunderstandings, complaints or grievances about dissatisfaction with college personnel, services, processes or facilities, discrimination or academic issues.

Bellevue College, through its affirmative action policy and general policy on sexual harassment, and in accordance with state and federal regulations, prohibits discrimination against students and employees on the basis of race or ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, religion, the presence of sensory, mental or physical disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.

Bellevue College employees are responsible for ensuring that their conduct does not discriminate against anyone; they are expected to treat people conducting business at Bellevue College with respect and may expect the same consideration, in return.

The college recognizes that disputes may sometimes arise and encourages the parties involved to resolve the conflict informally whenever possible. If resolution cannot be reached, a formal process provides an impartial and equitable way to resolve those conflicts.

General Complaint Resolution Procedures can be viewed at: www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-1450p/

Student Academic Dispute Resolution Procedure can be viewed at: www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-1450p2/

Drug-Free Environment

Excerpt from Policy

Bellevue College intends to provide a drug-free, healthful, safe, and secure work and educational environment. Each employee is expected to report to work in an appropriate mental and physical condition to perform his/her assigned duties. Each student is expected to be in an appropriate mental and physical condition to participate fully in the learning process.

The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance in or on Bellevue College owned or controlled property, or while conducting Bellevue College business, is prohibited. Violation of this policy will be reason for appropriate personnel action, or for mandatory evaluation/treatment for substance abuse. Any personnel actions and student violations will be processed in accordance with state regulations, bargaining unit agreements, student conduct code, or other appropriate policies of the college. Any disciplinary action for employees or students will be decided on a case-by-case basis depending upon the specific circumstances.

Employees must report any conviction under a criminal drug statute for violations occurring in or on property owned or controlled by Bellevue College or while conducting Bellevue College business. An employee shall report any such conviction to her/his supervisor within five (5) days after the conviction. Bellevue College must report the conviction to the appropriate federal grant/contracting agency within
ten (10) days after having received notice that a person employed under a federally-sponsored grant or contract has any drug statute conviction or violation occurring in the workplace.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Excerpt from Policy

Bellevue College implements policy contained in this chapter in compliance with Public Law 93-380, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (“FERPA”). This law establishes that the education  records of students attending or having attended the college are confidential and can be released only with written permission of the student. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act also authorizes the college to release so-called “directory information” without prior written permission.

The college has adopted procedures to implement the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Questions pertaining to the procedures and their implementation should be directed to the Vice President of Student Affairs.

Notification of Rights under FERPA

FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records
2. Students may inspect and review their education records upon written request to the Vice President or Student Affairs identifying the record(s) the student wishes to inspect.
3. The Vice President of Student Affairs will make the needed arrangements for access within 45 days from the receipt of the student’s written request. If the requested records are not maintained by the office of the vice president, then the Vice President shall forward the request to the appropriate college official. If the requested records contain information about more than one student, the student may inspect and review only the records of portions of records which related to him or her.
4. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy rights. Students may ask the college to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the vice president of Student Affairs, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate, misleading or in violation of his or her privacy rights. If the college decides not to amend the record as requested by the student the college will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing. Grades are not subject to amendment of a student record.
5. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. There are exceptions which permit disclosure without consent such as disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including campus security personnel and health staff ); contractors, consultants, volunteers, and other outside service providers used to perform institutional services and functions; a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon  request, the college discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, in connection with financial aid, to parents of dependent students, to comply with subpoena orders issued by the U.S. attorney General under the USA Patriot Act to organizations conducting studies on behalf of educational institutions. Information may also be disclosed for health and safety reasons and as a result of a disciplinary hearing to an alleged victim. Directory information (that information which may be made public to any party) is defined as: name, college email address, dates of enrollment, degree/certificate earned, sports participation (including height & weight), scholarships received, membership or office in Bellevue College Student Government or honor society, part time or full time student status and previous schools attended.
6. The right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Bellevue College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Contact the office that administers FERPA:

Family Policy Compliance Office
US Department of Education

Financial Responsibilities

The college expects that students who receive services for which a financial obligation is incurred will exercise responsibility in meeting these obligations. Appropriate college staff are empowered to act in accordance with regularly adopted procedures to carry out the intent of this policy, and, if necessary, to initiate legal action to ensure that collection matters are brought to a timely and satisfactory conclusion.

Admission to or registration with the college, conferring of degrees, and issuance of academic transcripts may be withheld for failure to meet financial obligations to the college.

Hazing

Excerpt from Policy

Hazing is prohibited. Hazing means any method of initiation into a student organization or living group or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization or living group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious mental or emotional harm, to any student or other person attending any institution of higher education or post-secondary institution

Hazing violations are also misdemeanors punishable under state criminal law according to RCW 9A.20.021.

Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation

It is the policy of Bellevue College (College) to provide a working and learning environment free from discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. This policy expressly prohibits conduct that discriminates against individuals or groups based on their race or ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, marital or family status, sexual orientation including gender identity or expression, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.

This policy also prohibits retaliation directed at any individual who reports or files a claim of discrimination or harassment, or who participates in an investigation of a claim of discrimination or harassment. Any member of the college community who is found to have engaged in unlawful discrimination, harassment or retaliation is subject to appropriate corrective or disciplinary action in accordance with applicable college policies and collective bargaining agreements.

Prevention of Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation policy can be viewed at: www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-1440/

Discrimination Complaint Resolution Procedures can be viewed at: www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-1440p/

General Complaint Resolution Procedures can be viewed at: www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-1450p/

Smoking on Campus

In accordance with the Washington Clean Indoor Air Act of 1985 (RCW 70.160) and in recognition of the Executive Order Establishing Governor’s Policy on Smoking in State Facilities, it shall be the policy of Bellevue College to limit smoking and tobacco use on campus as follows:

• Smoking, use of electronic cigarettes and tobacco use is permitted only in designated locations.
• Smoking, use of electronic cigarettes and tobacco use is prohibited in college vehicles.

To view additional Smoking On Campus policy information view: www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-6350/

2050 Student Code

Original Date: 6/11/1992
*Last Revision Effective: 3/24/2015
Policy Contact: Vice President, Student Affairs
Excerpt from Policy

Authority

The board of trustees, acting pursuant to RCW 28B.50.140, delegates to the president of Bellevue College the authority to administer disciplinary action. Administration of the disciplinary procedures is the responsibility of the vice-president of student affairs and/or designated student conduct officer. The student conduct officer shall serve as the principal investigator and administrator for alleged violations of this code.

Statement of Student Rights

As members of the academic community, students are encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgment and to engage in an independent search for truth. Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The freedom to learn depends upon appropriate opportunities and conditions in the classroom, on the campus, and in the larger community. Students should exercise
their freedom with responsibility. The responsibility to secure and to respect general conditions conducive to the freedom to learn is shared by all members of the college community.

Student Rights and Freedoms

The following enumerated rights are guaranteed to each student within the limitations of statutory law and college policy which are deemed necessary to achieve the educational goals of the college:

Academic Freedom

1. Students are guaranteed the rights of free inquiry, expression, and assembly upon and within college facilities that are generally open and available to the public.
2. Students are free to pursue appropriate educational objectives from among the college’s curricula, programs, and services, subject to the limitations of RCW 50.090 (3)(b).
3. Students shall be protected from academic evaluation which is arbitrary, prejudiced, or capricious, but are responsible for meeting the standards of academic performance established by each of their instructors.
4. Students have the right to a learning environment which is free from unlawful discrimination, inappropriate and disrespectful conduct, and any and all harassment, including sexual harassment.

Due process

1. The rights of students to be secure in their persons, quarters, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures is guaranteed.
2. No disciplinary sanction may be imposed on any student without notice to the accused of the nature of the charges.
3. A student accused of violating this Code of Student Conduct is entitled, upon request, to procedural due process as set forth in this chapter.

Prohibited Student Conduct

The college may impose disciplinary sanctions against a student who commits, or aids, abets, incites, encourages or assists another person to commit, an act(s) of misconduct, which include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Academic Dishonesty. Any act of academic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, and fabrication.
   1. Cheating includes any attempt to give or obtain unauthorized assistance relating to the completion of an academic assignment.
   2. Plagiarism includes taking and using as one’s own, without proper attribution, the ideas, writings, or work of another person in completing an academic assignment. May also include the unauthorized submission for credit of academic work that has been submitted for credit in another course.
   3. Fabrication includes falsifying data, information, or citations in completing an academic assignment and also includes providing false or deceptive information to an instructor concerning the completion of an assignment.
2. Other Dishonesty. Any other acts of dishonesty. Such acts include, but are not limited to:
   1. Forgery, alteration, submission of falsified documents or misuse of any college document, record, or instrument of identification;
   2. Tampering with an election conducted by or for college students; or
   3. Furnishing false information, or failing to furnish correct information, in response to the request or requirement of a college officer or employee.
3. Obstruction or Disruption. Obstruction or disruption of (a) any instruction, research, administration, disciplinary proceeding, or other college activity, including the obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular movement on college property or at a college activity or (b) any activity that is authorized to occur on college property, whether or not actually conducted or sponsored by the college.
4. Assault. Assault, physical abuse, verbal abuse, threat(s), intimidation, harassment, bullying, stalking or other conduct which harms, threatens, or is reasonably perceived as threatening the health or safety of another person or another person’s property. For purposes of this paragraph:
   1. Bullying is physical or verbal abuse, repeated over time, and involving a power imbalance between the aggressor and victim.
   2. Stalking is intentional and repeated following of another person, which places that person in reasonable fear that the perpetrator intends to injure, intimidate or harass that person. Stalking also includes instances where the perpetrator knows or reasonably should know that the person is frightened, intimidated or harassed, even if the perpetrator lacks such an intent.
5. Cyber-Misconduct. Cyber-stalking, cyber-bullying or online harassment. Use of electronic communications, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, instant messaging, electronic bulletin boards, and social media sites, to harass, abuse, bully or engage in other conduct which harms, threatens, or is reasonably perceived as threatening the health or safety of another person. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to, unauthorized monitoring of another’s email communications directly or through spyware, sending threatening emails, disrupting electronic communications with spam or by sending a computer virus, sending false messages to third parties using another’s email identity, non-consensual recording of sexual activity, and non-consensual distribution of a recording of sexual activity.
6. Property Violation. Damage to, or theft or misuse of, real or personal property or money of the college or state; any student or college officer, employee, or organization; or any other member of the college community or organization; or possession of such property or money after it has been stolen.
7. Failure to Comply with Directive. Failure to comply with the direction of a college officer or employee who is acting in the legitimate performance of his or her duties, including failure to properly identify oneself to such a person when requested to do so.
8. Weapons. Possession, holding, wearing, transporting, storage or presence of any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, explosive device, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm is prohibited on the college campus, subject to the following exceptions:
   1. Commissioned law enforcement personnel or legally-authorized military personnel while in performance of their duties, or
   2. Students with legally issued concealed weapons permits may store their weapons in vehicles parked in accordance with RCW 9.41.050 on campus provided the vehicle is locked and the weapon is concealed from view, or
   3. The president or his delegate may authorize possession of a weapon on campus upon a showing that the weapon is reasonably related to a legitimate pedagogical purpose. Such permission shall be in writing and shall be subject to any terms or conditions incorporated therein.
9. Hazing. Hazing includes, but is not limited to, any initiation into a student organization or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious mental or emotional harm, to any student.
10. Alcohol, Drug, and Tobacco Violations.
    1. Alcohol. The use, possession, delivery, sale, or being visibly under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, except as permitted by law and applicable college policies.
    2. Marijuana. The use, possession, delivery, sale, or being visibly under the influence of marijuana or the psychoactive compounds found in marijuana and intended for human consumption, regardless of form. While state law permits the recreational use of marijuana, federal law prohibits such use on college premises or in connection with college activities.
    3. Drugs. The use, possession, delivery, sale, or being under the influence of any legend drug, including anabolic steroids, androgens, or human growth hormones as defined in RCW 69.41, or any other controlled substance under RCW 69.50, except as prescribed for a student’s use by a licensed practitioner.
    4. Tobacco, electronic cigarettes and related products. The use of tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and related products in any building owned, leased or operated by the college or in any location where such use is prohibited, including twenty-five feet from entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes of any building owned, leased or operated by the college. “Related products” include, but are not limited to cigarettes, pipes, bidi, clove cigarettes, water pipes, hookahs, chewing tobacco, and snuff.
11. Lewd Conduct. Conduct which is lewd or obscene.
12. Discriminatory conduct. Discriminatory conduct which harm or adversely affect any member of the college community because of her/his race; color; national origin; sensory, mental or physical disability; use of a service animal; gender, including pregnancy; marital status; age; religion; creed; genetic information; sexual orientation; gender identity; veteran status; or any other legally protected classification.
13. Sexual Misconduct. The term “sexual misconduct” includes sexual harassment, sexual intimidation, and sexual violence.
    1. Sexual Harassment. The term “sexual harassment” means unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, including unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is sufficiently serious as to deny or limit, and that does deny or limit, based on sex, the ability of a student to participate in or benefit from the college’s
       educational program or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for other campus community members.
    2. Sexual Intimidation. The term “sexual intimidation” incorporates the definition of “sexual harassment” and means threatening or emotionally distressing conduct based on sex, including, but not limited to, nonconsensual recording of sexual activity or the distribution of such recording.
    3. Sexual violence. “Sexual violence” is a type of sexual harassment and includes non-consensual intercourse, non-consensual sexual contact, sexual coercion, sexual exploitation, and stalking. The term further includes acts of dating or domestic violence.
       1. Consent requires knowing, voluntary and clear permission by word or action, to engage in mutually agreed upon sexual activity. Each party has the responsibility to make certain that the other has consented before engaging in the activity. For consent to be valid, there must be at the time of the act of sexual intercourse or sexual contact actual words or conduct indicating freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse or sexual contact. A person may be incapable of giving consent by reason of age, threat or intimidation, lack of opportunity to object, disability, drug or alcohol consumption, or other cause.
       2. Nonconsensual sexual intercourse is any sexual intercourse (anal, oral, or vaginal), however slight, with any object, by a person upon another person, that is without consent and/or by force. Sexual intercourse includes anal or vaginal penetration by a penis, tongue, finger, or object, or oral copulation by mouth to genital contact or genital to mouth contact.
       3. Nonconsensual sexual contact is any intentional sexual touching, however slight, with any object, by a person upon another person that is without consent and/or by force. Sexual touching includes any bodily contact with the breasts, groin, mouth, or other bodily orifice of another individual, or any other bodily contact in a sexual manner.
       4. Domestic violence includes asserted violent misdemeanor and felony offenses committed by the victim’s current or former spouse, current or former cohabitant, person similarly situated under domestic or family violence law, or anyone else protected under domestic or family violence law.
       5. Dating violence means violence by a person who has been in a romantic or intimate relationship with the victim. Whether there was such relationship will be gauged by its length, type, and frequency of interaction.
       6. Stalking means intentional and repeated harassment or following of another person, which places that person in reasonable fear that the perpetrator intends to injure, intimidate or harass that person. Stalking also includes instances where the perpetrator knows or reasonably should know that the person is frightened, intimidated or harassed, even if the perpetrator lacks such intent.
14. Harassment. Unwelcome and offensive conduct, including verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct, that is directed at a person because of such person’s protected status and that is sufficiently serious as to deny or limit, and that does deny or limit, the ability of a student to participate in or benefit from the college’s educational program or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for other campus community members. Protected status includes a person’s race; color; national origin; sensory, mental or physical disability; use of a service animal; gender, including pregnancy; marital status; age; religion; creed; genetic information; sexual orientation; gender identity; veteran status; or any other legally protected classification. See “Sexual Misconduct” for the definition of “sexual harassment.” Harassing conduct may include, but is not limited to, physical conduct, verbal, written, social media and electronic communications.
15. Retaliation. Retaliation against any individual for reporting, providing information, exercising one’s rights or responsibilities, or otherwise being involved in the process of responding to, investigating, or addressing allegations or violations of federal, state or local law, or college policies, including, but not limited to, student conduct code provisions prohibiting discrimination and harassment.
16. Misuse of Electronic Resources. Theft or other misuse of computer time or other electronic information resources of the college. Such misuse includes but is not limited to:
    1. Unauthorized use of such resources or opening of a file, message, or other item;
    2. Unauthorized duplication, transfer, or distribution of a computer program, file, message, or other item;
    3. Unauthorized use or distribution of someone else’s password or other identification;
    4. Use of such time or resources to interfere with someone else’s work;
    5. Use of such time or resources to send, display, or print an obscene or abusive message, text, or image;
    6. Use of such time or resources to interfere with normal operation of the college’s computing system or other electronic information resources;
    7. Use of such time or resources in violation of applicable copyright or other law;
    8. Adding to or otherwise altering the infrastructure of the college’s electronic information resources without authorization; or
    9. Failure to comply with the college’s electronic use policy.
17. Unauthorized Access. Unauthorized possession, duplication, or other use of a key, keycard, or other restricted means of access to college property, or unauthorized entry onto or into college property.
18. Safety Violations. Safety violation includes any non-accidental conduct that interferes with or otherwise compromises any college policy, equipment, or procedure relating to the safety and security of the campus community, including tampering with fire safety equipment and triggering false alarms or other emergency response systems.
19. Violation of Other Laws or Policies. Violation of any federal, state, or local law, rule, or regulation or other college rules or policies, including college traffic and parking rules.
20. Ethical Violation. The breach of any generally recognized and published code of ethics or standards of professional practice that governs the conduct of a particular profession for which the student is taking a course or is pursuing as an educational goal or major. In addition to initiating discipline proceedings for violation of the student conduct code, the college may refer any violations of federal, state or local laws to civil and criminal authorities for disposition. The college shall proceed with student disciplinary proceedings regardless of whether the underlying conduct is subject to civil or criminal prosecution.

The full Student Code can be viewed at: www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-2050/