CHAPTER VII

STUDENT SERVICES

B7.1 Counseling and Advising Services: A full range of services is provided by trained professional staff. Counseling and Advising Services staff are located on both the East and the West campuses to provide services which include: academic advising, career decision-making information, stress management, personal development seminars, referral services, transfer planning, new student information sessions, and short-term personal counseling.

A7.1.1 Advisement: Course and degree advisement at Del Mar College is delivered through a decentralized model with teaching faculty responsible for advising students with declared majors and counselors and/or intervention specialists responsible for advising students who have declared a Liberal Arts major or who are undeclared or undecided about their major.  
A7.1.1.1 Advisement activities for the College are administered by the Director of Counseling and Advising Services.

A7.1.1.2 The goal of advisement is to assist the student in forming and achieving an educational goal.

A7.1.1.3 Career information guidance is available in the offices of Counseling and Advising Services.

A7.1.2 External Testing: Testing activities external to the classroom are coordinated and administered by the Director of Testing who reports to the Dean of Student Support Services .  
A7.1.2.1 Testing services include, but are not limited to, (a) tests required for entrance or placement in college classes; (b) tests required for certification and licensure; (c) General Education Development (GED) and (d) correspondence examination.   A7.1.2.2 A schedule of currently approved fees for testing services is available in the Counseling and Testing Offices. B7.2 Financial Aid: Financial Aid is money in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and employment to help students meet their educational expenses. A full range of financial aid services is available to students. Funding comes from the federal and state government, the College, and public and private sources. The College will implement procedures to award and disburse funds to eligible students and ensure compliance with federal, state, and College rules and regulations. The rules, regulations or types of financial assistance are available for review on the Del Mar College's website, the College catalog, the Student Handbook, or by contacting the Assistant Dean of Financial Aid. A7.2.1 Grants: The following grants are awards of money with no repayment being necessary and are available for students who have established financial need.  
A7.2.1.1 Pell Grant- a type of federal aid which may be combined with other forms of aid to help students meet the cost of education. Unlike most grants, this grant is also available to students who are enrolled for less-than-half-time.   A7.2.1.2 Leveraging Education Assistance Program- a grant that combines Federal and State funds to assist students. A student must be qualified to pay instate tuition rates, must demonstrate financial need, and be an undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours).   A7.2.1.3 Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant- a federal grant program that can provide up to $2,000 per academic year for students with high financial need. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours) to be considered for this grant.   A7.2.1.4 Del Mar Student Grant- designed to provide assistance for tuition and fees.

A7.2.1.5 Toward Excellence, Access, and Success (TEXAS) Grant Program- a State funded grant available to Texas residents who graduated with the recommended or advanced high school curriculum, and who demonstrate financial need.  Students must receive their first disbursement of this grant within sixteen (16) months of graduating from high school.

  A7.2.2 Loans: The majority of the educational loans available to students are long-term, low-interest loans, on which the student does not start making repayments until the student has ceased to carry a half-time (½-time) course load.  
A7.2.2.1 Direct Student Loan Programs are long term loans made through the U.S. Department of Education. The College determines the student's loan eligibility and originates the loan information to the Loan Origination Center. The student must sign a promissory note and must attend a Loan Entrance Counseling session before loan proceeds may be received. Students must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis.   A7.2.2.2 Emergency Short-Term Loan is a College loan fund established to assist students with payment of tuition and fees for the applicable enrollment period. Students may borrow up to $150 and must pay the loan within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the funds.   A7.2.3 Scholarships: Money provided by foundations, organizations, memorial funds, individuals, and businesses is awarded to students on the basis of scholastic achievement and, in some instances, financial need.  
A7.2.3.1 General Scholarships are available to academic, technical, and occupational education students who exhibit high scholastic achievement; financial need is a consideration in some of the scholarships.   A7.2.3.2 Music Scholarships are awarded by the Department of Music.   A7.2.3.3 Health Science Scholarships are available to students enrolled in the health science programs; applicants should contact the Financial Aid Office.  A7.2.3.4 All scholarship awards must be routed and/or processed through the Financial Aid Office. A7.2.4 Employment: All student employment on campus is coordinated by the Financial Aid Office, where students should report first to fill out necessary forms and submit the appropriate financial statement by the deadlines in the catalog. Determination of eligibility is made by the  Financial Aid Office .  
A7.2.4.1 The College Work-Study Program is a federal campus-based aid program that provides part-time employment for students with financial need and with at least half-time enrollment.  
A7.2.4.1.1 During regular enrollment periods, and during the academic year when classes are in session, a student may not work more than fifteen (15) hours per week without prior approval by the Financial Aid Office. Work-study employees are paid at a standard rate determined by the College.   A7.2.4.1.2 Students attending Del Mar College during the summer only are not eligible for work-study employment.   A7.2.4.1.3 The Student Employment Form refers a work-study student to a supervisor, who has requisitioned a worker for a designated number of hours per week.   A7.2.4.1.4 Instructions for acceptance, termination, and evaluation will be provided by the Financial Aid Office.

A7.2.4.1.5 The Texas College Work-study Program is a state-funded work program similar to the Federal program. Students must be Texas residents in order to work under this program. These funds are available only during the Fall and Spring semesters.
 

A7.2.4.2 Student Assistance Employment is an employment program for currently enrolled students who are not required to show financial need. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours) and must be available to work up to 15 hours per week. Any exceptions to the half-time enrollment requirement must be documented and approved by the Assistant Dean of Financial Aid. Students may not begin employment until all payroll documents are completed and verified by the Financial Aid Office. Department budget managers must have budgeted funds to hire a student assistant.   A7.2.4.2.1 During regular enrollment periods, a student may not average more than fifteen (15) hours per week without special permission from the Financial Aid Office; during non-enrollment periods, a student may not work more than forty (40) hours per week without prior approval of the department supervisor and the Financial Aid Office. Students not enrolled during the summer may be authorized, through the Financial Aid Office, to work the summer so long as they have documented their intent to enroll for the subsequent fall semester. Students assistants are paid at a standard rate determined by the College.   A7.2.4.2.2 Instructions for acceptance, termination, and evaluation will be provided by the Financial Aid Office .   A7.2.4.3 Student Employment Records: The supervisor and the student must complete and sign a color-coded time report and turn it in to the Financial Aid Office on the last working day of the month. Supervisors must ensure that the time sheets are signed, accurate and submitted on a timely basis.   A7.2.4.3.1 Supervisors are required to keep a sign-in/sign-out record. Any deviation from the normal fifteen (15) hours per week must be shown on the time record, for example, overtime (with prior approval).   A7.2.4.3.2 Payment is made on the fifteenth (15th) of the month for the prior month's work. Student workers are paid at a standard rate determined by the College.

A7.2.5 Installment Payment Plan: As mandated by the state, installment payment plans are available for the payment of tuition and fees. (See B3.22)

A7.3 Retention: Positive student retention efforts being vitally important to the success of the College Mission, this policy affirms the commitment of this open-door institution to use every reasonable means to encourage students to remain enrolled and make regular progress toward realizing the full potential of their abilities. A7.3.1 Encouragement of Student Retention: All employees of Del Mar College are expected to demonstrate respect for each student and to promote an atmosphere that encourages the retention of students and facilitates their success.

A7.3.2 Services: Retention efforts include, but are not limited to, the maintenance of a positive classroom environment, effective advisement, efficient recruitment and registration, personal and career counseling, new student orientation, mentoring, workshops, and specially-designed courses.
 

A7.3.2.1 To meet the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) and to promote the retention and success of all students, Del Mar College provides a systematic process of advising designed to meet the needs of all students. All first-time students should meet with the staff of the Department of Counseling and Advising Services for the purpose of developing long-range and short-range educational/career goals and assessing individual strengths and weaknesses. Students with undeclared and liberal arts majors will continue to work with staff in the Department of Counseling and Advising Services to develop career decision-making strategies. Students who have chosen a major will meet with a faculty advisor from their major. This systematic process of advising will provide students with (a) support and critical retention information such as educational and career counseling; (b) advice regarding courses and programs; (c) recommendations for success workshops, seminars, and small group presentations and (d) referrals to academic departments and other offices.

A7.3.2.2 The Department of Counseling and Advising Services will assist Department Chairs and departmental faculty advisors with information and resources, and will coordinate their advisement  activities with those of teaching faculty.

A7.3.2.3 Faculty advising should include the mentoring of students, helping them to develop their education plans, providing them with materials, schedules, policies, and transfer criteria, and referring them to other student services when appropriate.

A7.3.2.4 Department Chairs should ensure that their faculty are thoroughly informed of their responsibilities as student advisors in their disciplines. This may be done through inservice workshops within the individual departments or collectively through the various programs of the College.

 B7.4 Special Record Registration: The administration may permit special record registration for the purpose of establishing a transcript at Del Mar College. Application for exception or waiver of any of the following regulations must have the recommendation of the Registrar, and the appropriate Dean, and the approval of the Vice President of Student Development. B7.4.1 Time: Such registration will he held any time during regular office hours except during regular registration times.

B7.4.2 Eligibility: Registration will be permitted only to those persons who wish either to convert to semester hours credit previous non-credit bearing studies in which the applicant has appropriate professional certification or to take advanced standing examinations and receive credit for courses offered in the current catalog.

B7.4.3 Cost: The cost of special registration will be the same as the minimum tuition.

B7.4.4 AA/AAS Associate's Degrees: In cases where an associate's degree is desired, all course and residency requirements stated in the Catalog must be met and validated.

 A7.5 Admissions and Registrar: The College maintains an Office of Admissions and Registrar which coordinates the admissions, and related enrollment functions for the College. The Office is responsible for admissions, registration, graduation, scholastic records, reporting of enrollment data to the state, and veterans programs. The Office is responsible for maintaining official records of all student enrollments and necessary related information and documentation. A7.5.1 Scholastic Records: This Office prepares and maintains permanent scholastic records on all students--past, present, and prospective, verifies enrollment information for various agencies, and handles all subpoenas for student records.
  A7.5.1.1 The initial contact with prospective students and foreign students, for whom eligibility for admission is determined and the necessary forms prepared, is made by this Office.

A7.5.1.2 Files and records on each veteran, including certification, tutoring, and dependents' certification under the various G.I. Bills, are prepared and maintained in the Office of Admissions and Registrar.
 

A7.5.2 Registration: This Office prepares the class schedule; coordinates registration activities, including legal residence classification; organizes and processes schedule changes; coordinates computer operations related to appropriate functions; distributes and collects class rolls and final grades, and determines scholastic standing of students.

A7.5.3 Graduation: Responsibilities include certification of graduates and oversight of graduation activities, including preparing diplomas, planning the ceremony and other related activities.

A7.5.4 Agency Reports: The Office is responsible for producing and certifying Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board reports. The basis of these reports determines funding allocations for the college from the state.

A7.5.5 Room Reservations: The Office is responsible for scheduling rooms and maintaining the room reservation system for the majority of the rooms on campus. Some rooms are scheduled through certain departments that have authority of oversight of selected rooms.

A7.6 Career Planning and Placement: The College offers information, assistance, and guidance to current and former students seeking employment, planning a new career, or changing careers.  A7.6.1 Availability: Services are provided to assist current and former students in finding part-time, full-time, or summer/holiday positions and career positions upon graduation.
  A7.6.1.1 Applications for services can be completed by visiting the offices located at the Harvin Student Center on the East Campus and the Coleman Center on the West Campus, or by visiting the website at www.delmar.edu/placement.

A7.6.2 Support Service: The staff assists students in the development of pre-employment job search skills, resume writing, and interviewing techniques.  Utilizing job market information, interest inventories, and other resources, the staff also assists individuals planning a new career, changing careers, or choosing a career.

A7.6.3 Opportunities: The office provides employment opportunities through off-campus job referral, open-table recruitment, job fairs, and individual appointment on-campus recruitment. Information on internship opportunities is also available. Job Opportunities are posted on "DMC Student Job Bank" listed on the Career Planning and Placement web page.

A7.7 Student Activities: The Student Activities Offices provide programs and activities that complement the educational process and provide students with interesting, entertaining, and educational extracurricular activities.

A7.7.1 Services: This office coordinates various clubs and organizations, publishes a weekly bulletin, provides discount tickets and schedules meeting rooms in the Centers.

A7.7.2 Student Services Committee: This is a student-directed committee that provides input in the planning and implementing of activities and events for students. The Committee advises the administration on the type, amount, and expenditures of compulsory fees for student services. The committee is composed of the following nine members: five (5) student members who are enrolled for not less that six semester credit hours and appointed by each membership from the East and West Campus Student Government Associations; and four (4) student members who are representative of the entire institution, appointed by the President of the College from student members of the Registered Student Organization or students at large (Texas Code 54.5031).

A7.8 Special Services Staff: The Special Services staff is commited to provide equal access to College services, programs and activities for qualified students with disabilities, in compliance with The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Texas state laws. The ADA and Section 504 prohibit discrimination against qualified students with a disability. Students shall not be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity at the College. A7.8.1 Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities may receive information on placement testing, advising, registration and appropriate classroom accommodations- such as note takers, testing accommodations, interpreters, and campus mobility. Staff cooperates with the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitiative Services, the Division for Blind Services and the Division for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services to ensure a full complement of services are provided to students with disabilities.
  A7.8.1.1 The Special Services staff will evaluate a student's disability through documentation submitted by the student (mental, psychological, and/or psycho-educational assessment reports), and will identify the reasonable accommodation(s) which will be effected to enable the student to perform academic requirements or participate in other activity at the College in compliance with A7.8. The accommodation(s) may involve assignment of a notetaker, sign language interpreter, extended testing time, tape recording a lecture, assignment of a reader, or other reasonable accommodation(s). Students, faculty, and staff may contact a Special Service staff, and/or obtain a copy of the Reference Guide for Faculty and Staff: Educating Students with Disabilities, for further information and assistance.

A7.8.2 Child Care: The Department of Human Services staff administers the Carl Perkins funds to provide child care assistance for students who are enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours) in vocational, technical, or health science programs, who receive the Pell Grant, and who maintain a 2.0 grade point average or higher.

B7.8.3 Services for Senior Citizens: As permitted by state law, persons sixty-five years (65) of age and older, regardless of educational background, may audit academic, adult education, and vocational courses offered by the College (if space is available) without charge except in courses using expendable materials, in which they will be expected to pay the laboratory fee, and in courses of individual instruction, for example, music lessons. Persons fifty-five (55) years of age and older may participate in free, or low-cost, informal classes taught by volunteers at the College. Satisfactory evidence as to the minimum age having been attained must be provided to appropriate College officials.
 

A7.8.3.1 Student records will not be maintained by the teacher or the Office of Admissions and Registrar; that is, no credit will be awarded and no grades will be given for courses offered to Senior Citizens.

A7.8.3.2 The administration will determine courses in which space is available and the dates and times at which persons may request access. Senior citizen students will not be calculated in determining the minimum number of students necessary to conduct a class. Regular admission procedures are not required. The Special Services staff will register these students.

A7.8.3.3 The Special Services staff, with the concurrence of the administration, may arrange special participation for senior citizens in annual retirement enrichment seminars, social events, campus tours, cultural programs, and use of the Library and swimming pool.

A7.9 Out-of-Town Travel: The sponsor of any group of students making out-of-town trips must complete in advance the proper forms, which may be obtained in the Student Activities Office. (Travel procedures are covered under B3.14.)

A7.10 Student Publications: The journalism teacher is the editor of the College newspaper, The Foghorn, published regularly and distributed without charge to students and faculty.

A7.11 Intramural Sports: The College has an extensive intramural-recreational program, including flag football, tennis, racquetball, weightlifting, swimming, soccer, badminton, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, bowling, ultimate Frisbee, golf, and many other activities. Student organizations are welcome to field teams in the various events.

B7.12 Student Complaint Policy: The Student Complaint Policy is based on the belief that such complaints are best resolved at the level closest to the issue that led to the complaint. Resolutions to such complaints must be reached through the participation of all parties involved in the issue that led to the complaint.  All procedures developed in relation to this policy will be applied in an equitable and nondiscriminatory manner and will protect the rights of all parties.  The President of the College is responsible for developing these procedures. A copy of the policy and procedures may be obtained from the Office of the Vice President of Student Development, the College's website (http://www.delmar.edu/policymanual/pm2008/ch7/index.html), the College Catalog or the Student Handbook.

Abuse of the process by a complainant will be subject to disciplinary action.  A complaint shall be considered an abuse of the process if the finding of facts shows that the complaint has absolutely no merit and/or is presented by the complainant in bad faith or for the purpose of harassment.  A respondent shall be considered to have abused the process if the finding of the facts shows that the respondent has acted in bad faith or with egregious disregard for the complaint, complainant, and/or the complaint process.

A7.12.1 Definitions:A student’s disagreement with the application of a specific College rule, practice and/or policy is processed through this procedure.  Sexual harassment issues will be processed in accordance with Board Policy B5.42.
A7.12.1.1 Student: The “student” is an individual officially enrolled at the College in a college-level credit or non-credit course, including GED courses, in the semester in which the complaint took place. For the purpose of this procedure, an individual who is not enrolled in a course or program is not a student at the College and unable to file a complaint under this procedure.
A7.12.1.2 Student Complaint Review Board: The“Student Complaint Review Board”, also known as the “Review Board” consists of appointed members from the College’s constituency groups to hear complaints, afford due process, deliberate on the facts, and render a final decision on a complaint.
A7.12.1.3 Respondent: The “respondent” is an individual against whom a complaint is filed.
A7.12.1.4 Observer: The “observer” is an individual who may attend the hearing, at the request of the complainant or respondent. (Either party may bring in an observer.)  The observer may  not take an active role in the hearing, i.e., ask questions, make statements/comments, or cross-examine other parties involved, nor represent the complainant or the respondent in the hearing process.  The observer may serve as an advisor outside of the hearing.
A7.12.1.5 Mediation: “Mediation” is a discussion held at an informal level between the complainant and respondent involved in a dispute with the Dispute Resolution Center, a neutral agency, to effect an agreement, settlement, compromise, or to reconcile differences prior to filing a formal complaint.
A7.12.1.6 Complainant: The “complainant” is a student who believes there has been an unfair breach or misinterpretation of College policy, procedures, applicable rules, or practices within the College.
A7.12.1.7 Non-Academic Complaint:The “Non-Academic Complaint” is a complaint by a student which does not involve grades or any academic issues.  This procedure does not include a complaint by a student against another student. A student with a complaint against another student will consult with the Vice President of Student Development on the proper procedure to follow when filing this type of complaint.
A7.12.1.8 General Academic Non-Grade Complaint: The “General Academic Non-Grade Complaint” is a complaint by a student who has any academic disagreement not directly related to the assignment of a grade(s). A complaint of this nature may not seek to limit or lessen faculty’s rights to full freedom in the classroom to discuss the subject(s) that they teach, as protected by Board Policy B6.1.
A7.12.1.9 Grade Complaint: The “Grade Complaint” is a complaint filed by a student related to a grade dispute.
A7.12.1.10 Confidentiality: Complaints generally involve sensitive matters.  All parties involved in a complaint shall take the process seriously and respect the privacy of the complainant, the respondent, the reviewer(s), and any witnesses. . Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent provided by law.
A7.12.1.11 Reprisal: There will be no retaliation, interference, or harassment toward any party to a complaint.
A7.12.1.12 Workday: The “workday” is defined as regular College hours of operation, Monday through Friday.
A7.12.2 Non-Academic Complaint:   The Non-Academic Complaint is a complaint by a student which does not involve grades or any academic issues. The Vice President of Student Development or designee shall review the complaint procedure with the complainant. The complainant that has a non-academic complaint will take the following steps in an effort to reconcile a complaint.
A7.12.2.1 Step One: The complainant may: 1) informally discuss the nature of the complaint with the respondent; or 2) submit a written complaint to the respondent within five (5) working days of the date of the complainant’s awareness of the occurrence. The respondent will inform the complainant in writing of a decision on the complaint presented within five (5) working days of receipt of the written complaint.
A7.12.2.2 Step Two: If the complainant has attempted an informal discussion and/or has submitted a written complaint and received a written response and remains dissatisfied, then the complainant may request mediation. The respondent may also request mediation in the event that a resolution was not achieved by informal discussion or written response.  A mediation session will take effect only after agreement by both the complainant and respondent. If either party chooses not to participate in mediation, the complainant may proceed to Step Three.

The Vice President of Student Development will submit the Request for Dispute Resolution Form to arrange the mediation session. Any proposed resolution from the third party mediation session(s) will be reviewed by the Vice President of Student Development to make sure that all points are within Del Mar College policies, procedures, and practices.  If the Vice President of Student Development is unclear whether the proposed resolution is within College policies and procedures, then the mediation session will continue at a later date after clarification has been obtained.

A7.12.2.3 Step Three: If the complainant remains dissatisfied after Step One (or Two), he or she,  after receipt of the written response, has five (5) working days to appeal in writing to the Student Complaint Review Board through the Office of the Vice President of Student Development. Using the appropriate form, which may be obtained from the Office of the Vice President of Student Development, the complainant shall address only one subject in any one complaint. A written complaint shall contain a clear and concise statement of the complaint, referring to the actual policy that is alleged to have been violated, where appropriate, the date the incident took place, the issue involved, and the remedy sought. The Review Board shall hold a hearing, produce a tape recording and written record, and issue a written recommendation to the Vice President of Student Development.

A7.12.2.4 Student Complaint Review Board Membership: At the beginning of each academic year, the President will appoint the Student Complaint Review Board. The Review Board shall consist of seven (7) members randomly selected by the President from a pool of representatives previously recommended by the Faculty Council, Council of Chairs, Nonexempt Personnel Advisory Council, the Exempt Personnel Advisory Council and students.

The Student Complaint Review Board shall consist of one faculty member, one Department Chair, one Exempt staff member, one Nonexempt staff member, and three students. The students on the Review Board will be randomly selected.  At the beginning of each fall semester, Department Chairs and faculty will be asked to announce, in class, the need for students to serve on the Review Board.  The names will be forwarded to the President’s office.

The Review Board will name its own chair. A member from the Equity and Affirmative Action Office (EAAO) and/or their trained designee shall be present at all Review Board meetings.  The EAAO representative will assure that all applicable policies, procedures, and due processes are followed.  The EAAO will be responsible for tape recording and producing a written transcript of the Review Board meetings.  The complaint hearing will be held in closed session unless both the complainant and respondent agree, in writing, to an open hearing. The hearing is considered an administrative process and not subject to legal proceeding requirements.

A7.12.2.5 Hearings: The complainant and/or respondent may have an individual of choice to attend the hearing as an observer to counsel and advise them.  The observer may not take an active role in the hearing, i.e., ask questions, make statements/comments, cross-examine other parties nor represent the complainant or respondent in the hearing process. The Review Board shall hold its hearings within ten (10) working days of the date that the Vice President of Student Development is notified in writing that Step One (or Two) of the complaint process is being appealed. A decision by the Review Board will be forwarded to the Vice President of Student Development or designee who will evaluate the Review Board’s recommendation for matters of compliance with policy and procedure only. Within five (5) working days of receipt of the Review Board's decision, the Vice President of Student Development shall provide the complainant a written notice of the Review Board's decision. The Review Board’s decision is considered final and will exhaust all administrative requirements for the complainant.

A7.12.2.6 Time Limits: If the complainant fails to meet the time limits at any step, the complaint is automatically considered dropped; if the administration or College personnel, at any step, fails to meet the time limits, the complaint is automatically advanced to the next step.  Extension of time limits, for extenuating circumstances, may be requested in writing, by the complainant, respondent, or Review Board through the Vice President of Student Development or designee.  All parties affected by the complaint will be notified of the extension through the Vice President of Student Development or designee.

A7.12.3 General Academic (Non-Grade) Complaint: The General Academic Non-Grade Complaint is a complaint by a student who has any academic disagreement not directly related to the assignment of a grade(s).  A complaint of this nature may not seek to limit or lessen faculty’s rights to full freedom in the classroom to discuss the subject(s) that they teach, as protected by Board Policy B6.1. [See A7.12.4 for complaints concerning grade assignments.]

The Vice President of Student Development shall review the complaint procedure with the complainant.  A complainant who has a non-grade-related academic complaint against a faculty or staff member will take the following steps in an effort to reconcile the complaint.

A7.12.3.1 Step One: Discuss the matter with the faculty or staff member involved within five (5) working days after the occurrence of the event giving rise to the complaint.

A7.12.3.2 Step Two: A written decision by the faculty or staff member should be made to the complainant within five (5) working days of the complainant/faculty or staff member conference. That decision is final unless the complainant is dissatisfied with the decision.

A7.12.3.3 Step Three: If the complainant remains dissatisfied after Step Two, he or she, after the receipt of the written decision, has five (5) working days to complete the appropriate form, available in the Office of the Department Chair or the Office of the Vice President of Student Development, and present it to the Department Chair or the staff member’s Immediate Supervisor for review. The complainant shall address only one subject in any one complaint. A written complaint shall contain a clear and concise statement of the complaint, referring to the actual policy that is alleged to have been violated, where appropriate, the date the incident took place, the issue involved, and the remedy sought.

A7.12.3.4 Step Four: The Department Chair or the Immediate Supervisor has five (5) working days from receipt of the appropriate form to investigate, reach a decision, and notify the complainant and respondent in writing of the decision.

A7.12.3.5 Step Five: If dissatisfied with the results of the decision at Step Four, either party may appeal in writing within five (5) working days of receipt of the Department Chair’s or Immediate Supervisor’s decision. Any such appeal will be made to the appropriate Dean. The Dean has five (5) working days from receipt of the appeal to investigate, reach a decision, and notify the complainant and respondent, in writing, of the decision. The decision of the Dean is final.

[If the respondent is a department chair, the complainant will have five (5) working days to appeal the case to the Instructional Dean, who will review the complaint and render a written decision. If the Immediate Supervisor of the staff member does not report to a Dean, then the next level Supervisor will make the final decision.  The Dean’s or next level Supervisor’s decision is final.  If the instructor is a Dean, the appeal is made to the Department Chair and then the Vice President of Instruction, who is the final decision maker.]

[A prospective complainant denied admission to any special program of the College may appeal to the appropriate Department Chair.  If dissatisfied, the complainant may then appeal to the appropriate Instructional Dean. The decision of the Instructional Dean is final.]

A7.12.3.6 Time Limits: If the complainant fails to meet the time limits at any step, the complaint is automatically considered dropped; if College personnel, at any step, fail to meet the time limits, the complaint is automatically advanced to the next step. Extension of time limits, for extenuating circumstances, may be requested in writing, by the complainant, the faculty or staff member, or the Department Dean or Immediate Supervisor through the Vice President of Instruction or designee. All parties affected by the complaint will be notified of the extension by the Vice President of Instruction or designee.

A7.12.4 Complaint on Grades: The Grade Complaint is a complaint filed by a student related to a grade dispute. To assure all complainants fair and consistent treatment in the assignment of grades, the following procedure provides a process by which complainants and faculty members may resolve disputed grades. To guarantee that academic freedom will be maintained, the College should not be placed in the position of administratively changing a grade assigned, unless an error in grade can be proven and the faculty member awarding the grade refuses to change it in spite of the proven error. The complainant shall meet with the Vice President of Student Development or designee to review the grade complaint procedure. The procedure set forth below shall be followed by any complainant who feels that he or she has been treated unfairly in the calculation of a grade.
A7.12.4.1 Step One: The complainant must contact the instructor who issued the grade as soon as possible but within ten (10) working days after the beginning of the next College term, except of an “I” grade, following the issued disputed grade. The complainant may ask that the grade be changed or that the faculty member explain why the grade is the appropriate grade. If the grade is changed to the mutual satisfaction of the instructor and the complainant, or if the instructor convinces the complainant of the appropriateness of the grade, the dispute is resolved.

A7.12.4.2 Step Two: If the issue cannot be resolved between the two parties, the complainant may file a formal complaint in writing with the Department Chair in which the grade was issued. The complainant must file the appropriate form, which may be obtained in the Office of the Department Chair or in the Office of Vice President of Student Development, within five (5) working days of the complainant-instructor conference. The Department Chair shall consider the arguments of both parties and issue to both parties a written opinion within five (5) working days of receipt of the written, formal complaint. The written opinion of the Department Chair shall be limited to the following alternatives:

(1) "After reviewing the facts in this matter, I see insufficient reasons to recommend a change in the grade," or,
(2) "After reviewing the facts in this matter, I recommend that the grade should be reevaluated, based on the reasons…."

[If the respondent is a Department Chair, the complainant will have five (5) working days to appeal the case to the Instructional Dean, then the Vice President of Instruction (VPI).  If the instructor is a Dean, the appeal will be made to the Department Chair, and then the Vice President of Instruction.  The VPI will make the final decision when the instructor is a Department Chair or Dean.]

A7.12.4.3 Step Three: If the opinion of the Department Chair is that the grade should be reevaluated, and the faculty member is willing to change it to the mutual satisfaction of the complainant and the faculty member, the dispute is resolved.

A7.12.4.4 Step Four: If the opinion of the Department Chair is that the grade should not be changed, or if the faculty member is not agreeable to changing the grade within five (5) working days of an opinion from the Chair recommending a change, either party may petition in writing to the Instructional Dean of the division in which the grade was issued for a review. This must be done within five (5) working days of the Chair’s recommendation not to change the grade, or within five (5) working days of the faculty member’s decision not to change the grade, which ever is relevant. The Instructional Dean will review the facts, meet with all parties, if necessary, and render a written decision to both parties. The decision of the Instructional Dean is final. A grade change decision by the Instructional Dean will be made only in cases where an error in grade calculation is involved and only if the error(s) in grade calculation is so clear and evident that a change of grade is warranted. The written decision of the Instructional Dean shall be limited to the following alternatives:

(1) "After reviewing the facts in this matter, I see insufficient reasons to recommend a change in the grade," or,
(2) "After reviewing the facts in this matter, I recommend that the grade should be reevaluated, based on the reasons…."

If the grade change is supported by the Instructional Dean, the faculty is to submit a change of grade to the Office of Admissions and Registrar within five (5) working days of receipt of the Instructional Dean’s decision.

A7.12.4.5 Availability of Faculty Member: Should the faculty member who assigned the grade be unavailable to participate in this process due to reasons such as death, resignation, or incapacity, the Instructional Dean with the consent of the Vice President of Instruction shall appoint a committee from the same or related discipline in which the grade is being disputed and shall empower this committee to act in the place of the faculty member.

If applicable, a certified return-receipt letter will be sent by the Instructional Dean to the last-known or assumed address of the faculty member who cannot be reached for participation, explaining that the aforementioned committee will serve in his or her place if a positive response is not received within ten (10) days of the delivery date.

A7.12.4.6 Time Limits: If the complainant fails to meet the time limits at any step, the complaint is automatically considered dropped; if College personnel, at any step, fail to meet the time limits, the complaint is automatically advanced to the next step. Extension of time limits, for extenuating circumstances, may be requested in writing, by the complainant or the faculty member through the Vice President of Instruction or designee. All parties affected by the complaint will be notified of the extension by the Vice President of Instruction or designee.

B7.13 Standards of Student Conduct Policy: This policy is applicable to all students enrolled in Del Mar College. This policy is used in order that students be afforded equal protection and that all practices and actions be applied equally and in a nondiscriminatory manner. B7.13.1 General Statement: Del Mar College is composed of individuals interacting with others for the mutual benefit of all, thereby developing a culture with standards of conduct and distinguishable aims. The College is a system based on the concept of freedom of choice that creates the educational and cultural conditions for the full development of students and members of the community.   It is the right of students attending Del Mar College to retain their individualism, personal freedom, autonomy, and dignity, while respecting at the same time the rights of others. Students attending the College should be provided with the opportunity to learn, to develop to their fullest potential, and to grow as individuals and as citizens. All students are individuals and display different abilities, skills, interests, appreciations, attitudes, beliefs, and values.   Therefore, students who enroll, neither lose their personal freedom or rights, nor do they escape the duties of a citizen while enjoying significant educational opportunities at Del Mar College. Students have a responsibility to themselves, to their fellow students, to the law of the land, and to policies of the College in which, by their own choice, they enroll. Student rights and responsibilities include but are not limited to:   B7.13.2 Student Rights:   B7.13.2.1 The right to exercise the privileges of an American citizen in a college setting.   B7.13.2.2 The right to inquire about and to recommend improvements in policies, regulations, and procedures affecting the welfare of the students. Students may contact the Vice President of Student Development for guidance on the processes available to recommend improvement in policies or in exercising their rights.   B7.13.2.3 The right to counsel, to a fair hearing, and to an appeal when a disciplinary action is applied to the student as an individual or as a group member. When the Vice President of Student Development (VPSD) receives information that a student has allegedly violated a published College rule, regulation or policy, an investigation will be conducted by the Vice President and/or his/her designee to include a meeting with the student to present his/her side of the situation. After the preliminary investigation, the VPSD may dismiss the allegation(s) as unfounded, or proceed administratively and impose a disciplinary sanction (B7.13.5.1 to B7.13.5.3) when the student does not dispute the facts and findings of the investigation. An immediate student hearing, within ten (10) working days, will be scheduled by the Vice President of Student Development when the disciplinary action may lead to suspension or expulsion of the student from the College (B7.13.5.6).   B7.13.3 Student Obligations and Responsibilities:
  B7.13.3.1 The obligation to be fully acquainted with published rules, regulations, and policies of the College and to comply with them in the interest of maintaining an orderly and productive College community. A copy of the published rules, regulations and policies maybe found in the College catalog, Student Handbook, the College's website: http://www.delmar.edu/policymanual or in the Office of the Vice President of Student Development.

B7.13.3.2 The obligation to follow the tenets of common decency and acceptable behavior commensurate with the aspiration implied by a college education.

B7.13.3.3 The obligation to respect the rights and property of others.
 

B7.13.4 Discipline: The following are types of misconduct which, if established, will result in appropriate disciplinary action (See Board Policy B7.13.5). The VPSD may place a student on interim suspension immediately and without prior notice for an interim period pending a disciplinary hearing when there is imminent danger that the continued presence of the student on College premises poses a substantial threat to themselves, to others, or disrupts the stability and continuance of normal College operations (B7.13.5.7). A hearing will be held as soon as feasibly possible and/or within ten (10) working days following the date of interim suspension.
  B7.13.4.1 Academic cheating and plagiarism of any kind. (See Board Policy B7.13.6 on Scholastic Dishonesty).

B7.13.4.2 Furnishing false information to the College or filing or making known false charges against the College and/or a member of its faculty or staff.

B7.13.4.3 Destruction, damage, unauthorized possession, or misuse of College property, including Library and laboratory materials and equipment, or of private property on the campus.

B7.13.4.4 Forgery, alteration, unauthorized possession, or misuse of College documents, records, or identification cards.

B7.13.4.5 Physical or verbal abuse of another person in the College community. Any verbal threat or abuse or physical action against any College employee and/or student is considered sufficient grounds for immediate suspension from the College, subject to a disciplinary hearing.

B7.13.4.6 Participation in hazing in contravention of the Texas Education Codes, Sections 4.51 to 1.58, inclusive.

B7.13.4.7 Use, distribution, or possession of "alcoholic beverages"1/, "dangerous drugs"2/, or "controlled substances"3/, while on College property or at any authorized activity sponsored by or for any College-related organization, whether on or off campus.
 

1/ As defined in Section 1.04(1) of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code.

2/ As defined in Article 4476-14, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes.

3/ As defined in Article 4~76-15 (Texas Controlled Substances Act) Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes or in 21 U.S. Code Section 801 et seq.


B7.13.4.8 Disorderly conduct which inhibits or interferes with the educational responsibility of the College community or which disrupts the administrative or service functions of the College to include social-educational activities.

B7.13.4.9 Actions which violate State and federal law or city or county ordinances.

B7.13.4.10 Malfeasance or misuse of elected or appointed office in a student organization, or endangering its members, or the welfare of the College community.

B7.13.4.11 Incorrigible or persistently irresponsible behavior.

B7.13.4.12 Gambling on campus or on College property.

B7.13.4.13 Possession of any "weapon"4/ on campus or on College property or at any activity sponsored by the College or in any vehicle owned by the College, unless duly authorized by law or approved for instruction in specialized programs (see Board Policy B3.13).
 

4/ "Weapon" is defined to include any firearm, handgun (whether or not licensed under TRCS art. 4413 (29ee)), illegal knife, club, or prohibited weapon as defined or listed in Sections 46.01 and 46.05 (a) of the Texas Penal Code.


B7.13.4.14 Personality problems which disrupt teaching with detrimental effects upon other students.

B7.13.4.15 Any disruption of on-going educational activities of the College which warrants disciplinary action.

B7.13.4.16 Sexual harassment of an employee, student, or applicant for a position or program at the College, or retaliation against a person for complaining of sexual harassment or for cooperating in a investigation of alleged sexual harassment. (For a statement of College policy and complaint procedures relating to sexual harassment, see B5.42.)

 B7.13.5 Disciplinary Action: Any one or more of the following disciplinary actions may be imposed by the College:
  B7.13.5.1 Admonition and warning.

B7.13.5.2 Loss of privileges.
 

a. Removal from elective or appointive office. b. Loss of such other privileges which may be consistent with the offense committed and the rehabilitation of the student.


B7.13.5.3 Disciplinary probation with or without loss of designated privileges for a specified period of time. The violation of the terms of disciplinary probation or the infraction of any College rule during the disciplinary action will result in automatic suspension.

B7.13.5.4 Suspension from the College for a definite period of time.

B7.13.5.5 Expulsion from the College.

B7.13.5.6 Suspension or expulsion from the College will require that the student be afforded a hearing to present their side of the incident or action prior to the administrative suspension or expulsion decision.

B7.13.5.7 A student may be suspended or expelled prior to a hearing when there is imminent danger to the student or another individual(s) on campus.
 

 B7.13.6 The Policy of Del Mar College on Scholastic Dishonesty: Teachers are expected to maintain the good reputation and the integrity of Del Mar College and of their own profession by guarding against scholastic dishonesty in students.

Students are expected to maintain the integrity of the College by avoiding dishonesty in their own behavior and by expecting honest behavior from their fellow students. One of the requirements for passing the courses students take at Del Mar College is that students do their own work. Meeting this requirement means avoiding plagiarism, collusion, and cheating.

  A7.13.6.1 Students Must Not Plagiarize: Plagiarism occurs when a student takes another’s words or ideas and uses them as if they were the student's own. This can happen in three (3) ways:
  A7.13.6.1.1 A student copies another’s words without using quotation marks and without giving the source.

A7.13.6.1.2 A student puts another's ideas into the student’s words but does not give the source.

A7.13.6.1.3 A student duplicates another’s structure of thought or organization of ideas but does not give the source.
 

 A7.13.6.2 Students Must Not Commit Collusion: Collusion occurs when someone else writes all or any part of a student's paper.   A7.13.6.3 Students Must Not Cheat:Cheating includes, but is not limited to, a student looking at another's work or using unauthorized materials during a test or written assignment; or fabricating data, methodology, results, findings from those in an official document, publication, or research and claiming them to be authentic.   A7.13.6.4 Penalties for Dishonest Behavior: If a teacher has reasonable grounds upon which to conclude that a student has plagiarized, committed collusion, or cheated, the teacher may choose one or more of the following options:   A7.13.6.4.1 Give the work an F.

A7.13.6.4.2 Give the work a zero.

A7.13.6.4.3 Drop the student with a W.

A7.13.6.4.4 Give the student an F for the course and dismiss the student from the course. The issuance of this grade by the instructor takes precedence over a student's prior or subsequent attempt to withdraw from the course to avoid penalty under this policy.

A7.13.6.4.5 Institute other disciplinary action against the student which may lead to the student’s suspension or dismissal from the College.

A7.13.6.4.5.1 A recommendation, by the faculty member to suspend and/or dismiss a student from the College for academic dishonesty, must be submitted through the department chair to the academic dean. [If the faculty is the dean, the recommendation is submitted to the Vice President of Instruction.]

A7.13.6.4.5.2 The appropriate academic dean will convene an Academic Ethics Committee, prior to suspending/dismissing the student, to afford the student due process and to present both sides of the situation.  The Academic Ethics Committee will consist of three faculty and two students.  Faculty will be recommended by each department to generate a rotation pool of faculty, three of which will be appointed by the respective academic dean as needed.  Faculty will not be appointed from the same discipline from the case being heard.  Students will be selected on a rotation basis from a pool generated from the active Registered Student Organizations.  

A7.13.6.4.5.3 The Academic Ethics Committee, after the hearing, will submit its recommendation to the dean, who will notify the student of its decision.  The decision of the committee to suspend or dismiss the student for academic dishonesty is final.

A7.13.6.4.6 The degree of presumed intent to commit an act of scholastic dishonesty will be a factor in the instructor's choice from among the penalties listed above.

  B7.13.6.5 Verification: If the student denies dishonesty, the student must reconstruct or reproduce the work in a way agreeable to and under the supervision of the teacher, to prove that no dishonesty has occurred.   If the student declines the opportunity to reconstruct or reproduce the work, the matter is ended, and the teacher may impose one or more of the penalties listed above. If the student produces what he or she believes constitutes proof that the work is indeed his or her own work, and the teacher disagrees, the student may file an academic- non-grade complaint.   A7.13.7 The Policy of Del Mar College on Student Dismissal from Class:  It is the prerogative of the instructor whether or not to withdraw a student who has given evidence of nonperformance, nonattendance, consistently poor performance, consistently poor attendance, or disorderly and disruptive conduct. The teacher may dismiss a student for such reasons and record a grade of F, in light of the student's record and in keeping with the teacher's rules, procedures, or guidelines. B7.14 Graduate Guarantee for Job Competency: Del Mar College guarantees that if an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) or a Certificate of Achievement graduate is judged by the graduate's employer to be lacking in technical job skills identified as exit competencies for a specific degree or certificate program, the graduate will be provided up to nine (9) tuition-free credit hours of additional skill training by Del Mar College under the conditions of this guaranteed graduate policy. Special conditions which apply to this guarantee are as follows: A7.14.1 Date of Degree:The graduate must have earned the A.A.S. degree or a certificate beginning May  1993, or thereafter, in a technical program identified in the College Catalog.

A7.14.2 Degree Requirements: The graduate must have completed the A.A.S. degree or certificate at Del Mar College (with a minimum of seventy-five percent [75%] of the credits being earned at Del Mar College) and must have completed the degree or certificate within a four (4) year time span.

A7.14.3 Employment: Graduates must be employed full-time in an area directly related to the area of program concentration as certified by the appropriate Division Dean.

A7.14.4 Date of Employment: Employment must have commenced within twelve (12) months of graduation.

A7.14.5 Additional Skills Training: A request to develop an educational plan for additional skills training by the College may be initiated by the graduate and employer through a written contact with the office of the appropriate Division Dean. The employer must certify in writing that the employee is lacking entry-level skills identified by Del Mar College as the employee's program competencies and must specify the areas of deficiency within ninety (90) days of the graduate's initial employment.

A7.14.6 Educational Plan for Retraining: The employer, graduate, and College representatives assigned by the College President will develop a written educational plan for retraining, which may include individually directed study in the area of deficiency and/or up to nine (9) credit hours of course work.

A7.14.7 Limitation on Enrollment:  Enrollment in credit courses will be limited to those classes regularly scheduled during the period covered by the educational plan.

A7.14.8 Retraining Time Limit:  All retraining must be completed within one (1) calendar year from the time the educational plan is developed.

A7.14.9 Course-Related Expenses: The graduate and/or the employer is responsible for the cost of books, insurance, uniforms, fees, and other course-related expenses.

B7.14.10 Guarantee Limitation: The guarantee does not imply that the graduate will pass any licensing or qualifying examination for a particular career.

B7.14.11 Limit on Claim for Remedy:  The graduate's and/or the employer's sole claim for remedy against Del Mar College for skill deficiencies shall be limited to the enforcement of the obligation to provide nine (9) credit hours of tuition-free education under the conditions described within this policy.

A7.15 The Procedure for Courses Requiring Reading, English, and Mathematics Assessment Levels (REMs): The Policy on Courses that Require Reading, English, and Mathematics Assessment Levels (REMs):  Technical Courses (generally those courses in certificate programs and A.A.S. degree programs) will not be required to list any required assessment levels (the current REM notations may be omitted entirely for these courses). For all other non-technical courses in A.A.,  A.S., and A.A.S. degree programs, the program faculty and the Department Chair, with the approval of the appropriate Dean, will decide on the appropriate assessment levels using the following guidelines:
A7.15.1 Areas Listed: Only those areas (reading, writing, or math) needed for a course will be listed.  For example, ENGL 1301 will list only an R level and an E level (a math level is not needed).
A7.15.2 Noted Assessment Levels: Only assessment levels 2 or 3 need to be noted.  An assessment level of 1 is the "default” and need not be noted.

A7.15.3 Transfer Courses Assessment Level: Most college-credit transfer courses will require an assessment level of 3 in at least one area (reading, writing, or math). If a Chair determines that a course does not require students to be at level 3 in any area (reading, writing, or math), a brief written rationale will be given to the appropriate Dean and the Vice President of Instruction.

A7.15.4 REM Levels Not Required: REM assessment levels usually will not need to be stated for courses that have another course as a prerequisite.  Only the prerequisite course need be stated, unless REMs higher than those needed for the prerequisite course are also required.

A7.15.5 Special Approval: A Department Chair may give “special approval” to permit a student who does not meet the assessment levels for a course to enroll in that course.  This “special approval” may be used to enroll students only into courses in the Chair’s department.  (See A7.17.4.1)

A7.16 Student Withdrawal for Military Service: The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rules (Chapter 21 Section 21.5) indicate, "If a student withdraws from an institution because the student is called into active military service, the institution, at the student's option shall:

(1) refund the tuition and fees paid by the student for the semester in which the student withdraws;

(2) grant a student, who is eligible under the institution’s guidelines, an incomplete grade in all courses by designating “withdrawn-military” on the student’s transcript; or

(3) as determined by the instructor, assign an appropriate final grade or credit to a student who has satisfactorily completed a substantial amount of course work and who has demonstrated sufficient mastery of the course material.”

A7.17 Del Mar College Developmental Education Plan:  Revisions Adopted January 24, 2008 This plan identifies how Del Mar College will meet the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI).  This plan receives oversight from the College-wide Developmental Education Council (DEC).

A7.17.1 Exemptions: The following students are exempt from the parts of TSI listed:
A7.17.1.1 ACT: composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on the English (exempt from developmental reading and writing) or a minimum of 19 on the mathematics test (exempt from developmental mathematics);
A7.17.1.2 Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) taken before March 2005: a combined verbal and mathematics score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on the verbal (exempt from developmental reading and writing) or a minimum of 500 on the mathematics test (exempt from developmental mathematics); taken March 2005 or after: a combined reading and mathematics score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on the reading (exempt from developmental reading and writing) or a minimum of 500 on the mathematics test (exempt from developmental mathematics).

ACT and SAT must have been taken no more than five (5) years prior to enrollment.

A7.17.1.3 Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS): a minimum scale score of 1770 on the writing test, a Texas Learning Index (TLI) of 86 on the mathematics test and 89 on the reading test (exempt from all parts of TSI).  TAAS must have been taken no more than three (3) years prior to enrollment.

A7.17.1.4 Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS): taken in the eleventh grade a minimum scale score of 2200 on the ELA (English Language Arts) with a minimum essay score of 3 (exempt from developmental reading and writing) or a minimum scale score of 2200 on the mathematics test (exempt from developmental mathematics).  TAKS must have been taken no more than three (3) years prior to enrollment.

Students can be exempted through a combination of ACT, SAT, and TAKS scores.

A7.17.1.5 Graduates with a baccalaureate or associates degree from an accredited public institution of higher education in Texas (exempt from all parts of TSI).

A7.17.1.6 Transfer students from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education who have satisfactorily completed college-level course work in courses related to reading, writing or mathematics (exempt from developmental reading, writing, or mathematics, depending on course work).

A7.17.1.7 Students who have previously attended any accredited public institution of higher education in Texas and have been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.

A7.17.1.8 Students continuing in a Level-One certificate program may complete their certificate without additional assessment.

A7.17.1.9 Non-degree-seeking students who register for ESOL classes only.

Students who have previously taken the THEA Test (formerly TASP test) will not need to be reassessed.

A7.17.2 Assessment:

A7.17.2.1 Del Mar College assesses each entering student prior to enrollment.  Under exceptional circumstances, a student may enroll in freshman-level academic course work without assessment but will be required to be assessed not later than the end of the first semester of enrollment in freshman-level academic course work.

A7.17.2.2 Del Mar College will not use the assessment or the results of the assessment as a condition of admission.

A7.17.2.3 Assessment Instruments:  The following assessment instruments are used at Del Mar College:

A7.17.2.3.1 COMPASS by ACT;

A7.17.2.3.2 Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) (formerly TASP Test) by National Evaluation Systems, Inc.

A7.17.2.3.3 Accuplacer by College Board.  Although Accuplacer is not administered at Del Mar College, Accuplacer scores are accepted from transfer students.

A7.17.2.3.4 The standards used by the College to determine readiness for academic coursework are shown on a placement chart, published in the Catalog and class schedule.

A7.17.3 Advisement:

A7.17.3.1 Appropriate developmental course work will be determined by a student’s test scores and the placement chart developed by Del Mar College shown in the Catalog and Class Schedule.

Students who pass the developmental courses required by their test scores are considered ready for academic course work corresponding to their current placement levels.

A7.17.3.2 Each student who has earned 24 or fewer credit hours will be required to meet with an advisor prior to registration.  The appropriate developmental education for that individual student is available to the advisor through the College Student Information System.  Undeclared and liberal arts majors will meet with staff from the Department of Counseling, Advising and Special Services.  All other students will meet with faculty from their major.

Students may request a copy of their education plan from their advisor.

A7.17.4 Determination of College Readiness:
A7.17.4.1 All courses offered by Del Mar College have been assigned placement levels for Reading, English and Mathematics.  Students may concurrently enroll in developmental classes and college-credit classes as long as they meet all three placement levels by assessment test scores or by passing the previous level of developmental class, unless they are given special approval by the Department Chair to enroll in a course in the department.

A7.17.4.2 Students who do not initially score at college-level according to the Del Mar College Placement Chart shown in the College Catalog and Schedule of Classes can either retest and score at college level or complete the developmental education required to be eligible to enroll in courses in their degree plan.

A7.17.4.3 The successful completion of the following developmental courses will be used to determine that the student has met the Texas Success Initiative:

READ 0306 for the Reading component, ENGL 0307 for the English component and MATH 0371 for the Math component.  (MATH 0371 does not meet the college standard to take college level coursework but is approved to meet the Texas Success Initiative standard).

A7.17.5 Retesting:

A7.17.5.1 Students are not required to retest but may choose to retest to improve their test scores.

A7.17.6 Evaluation: Overview of the College’s developmental education program is provided by the Department of Communications, Languages and Reading, the Department of English, Philosophy, and Education and the Department of Mathematics and Physics.  All developmental education and the student services that support it are coordinated by the College-wide DEC (Development Educaion Council).