Roy Bowen
Ben Copeland
Sharon Douglas
Mary Flanders
Ann Purcell
Tyre Rakestraw
Sandra Reed
Allen Rice
Steve Rieck
Larry Snellgrove

ELECTRONIC VOTES

Rhubarb Jones
Harold Reynolds
Jimmy Tallent

IV. J. Articulation and Transfer

In order to ensure that students are served in accordance with the philosophy and mission of the State Board, each individual Technical College shall develop a comprehensive policy that outlines Advanced Placement for that institution.

Advanced placement allows a student to receive course credit based on previous experience, formal or informal, and results in advanced standing within a diploma/degree program.

Advanced Placement includes the following:

Transfer Credit
Traditional - Course credit may be awarded for courses completed with a "C" or better from a regionally accredited Technical College or University accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Full credit will be awarded for courses taken under approved standards within the system, subject to the receiving institution assuring that accreditation requirements are met.

Non-Traditional - Course credit may be awarded for military training or corporate courses where appropriate.

Residence Requirements for Degree/Diploma
Each Technical College shall require that a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the course work of a particular program of study be completed at the Technical College granting the degree/diploma, provided, however, that the 50% requirement may be waived if the student has completed a program for which standards have been implemented within the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education System.

Secondary School Articulation
Technical Colleges are required to establish articulation agreements with interested area high schools to ensure that students receive course credit when established competencies have been achieved.

Formal Articulation Agreement - Technical Colleges are required to develop formal written agreements with interested area high schools that give credit based on competencies achieved in selected courses.

Technical Colleges should participate in articulation advisory committees with members from both secondary programs and Technical College programs to develop articulation agreements.

Validation of Credit - Technical Colleges must validate student competencies before awarding articulated credit for competencies learned in high school through one of the following processes: holding the credit in escrow until the student enrolls at the Technical College and completes on quarter of study successfully; holding the credit in escrow until the student enrolls at the Technical College and completes a designated course successfully; or administering the final examination/exemption examination for the course to be articulated.

Transferability of Credit - Technical Colleges must honor local articulation agreements statewide when students move from one area of the state to another. Each Technical College can determine its preferred method of competency validation.

Local articulation agreements between Technical Colleges and secondary schools shall determine the length of time students have to use articulated credit processes.

Designation of Credit
Technical Colleges within the system should indicate exemption credit awarded by use of the letters, "EX" on transcript/permanent records.

Transfer credit awarded should be indicated on transcript/ permanent records, by the use of the letters "TR."

Articulated credit awarded should be indicated on transcript/permanent records by use of the letters "AC."

Standardized Exam Credit
Technical Colleges will award credit based on nationally normed exams including, but not limited to, the following:

CLEP - Credit will be awarded for successful completion of any appropriate CLEP (College Level Examination Program) subject area examinations. Credit should be awarded based on score recommendations of the Council on College Level Services.

PEP - Credit will be awarded for successful completion of appropriate examinations under PEP (Proficiency Examination Program). The Proficiency Examination Program is offered by the American College Testing Service.

Advanced Placement Examinations - Credit will be awarded to students who have taken appropriate courses (determined equivalent to courses offered at a Technical College) in high school and achieve a score of 3 or more on the Advanced Placement Examination. The Advanced Placement Examinations are offered by the College Entrance Examination Board.

Military Training Credit
Technical Colleges may award credit for training received in the Armed Forces. The training should be certified by the Guide to the Evaluation of Education Experiences in the Armed Services, published by the American Council on Education or by the official catalog of the Community College of the Air Force or some similar document. Credit should be given when training experience meets required competencies of courses offered at the institution.

Institutional Exemption Exam
Technical Colleges may allow students to exempt courses by demonstrating thorough mastery of written and/or performance tests that have been developed locally and adequately demonstrate achievement of the necessary competency level. Each Technical College should publish information as to which courses have exemption tests and how to apply for them.

Each Technical College may charge a per credit hour fee, not to exceed 25 per cent of tuition for the course, to administer an exemption exam. No fee shall be charged to students taking an exam to validate articulated credit from high school.

Adopted: November 2, 1989
Revised: March 4, 1999; April 23, 2001, October 14, 2004
Code: 04-03-03

II. B. Purchasing

In accordance with Georgia law (O.C.G.A § 50-5-50 et seq.), all purchases made by the Department or its Technical Colleges shall conform to all purchasing laws and all purchasing rules or procedures established by the Department and/or the Department of Administrative Services.

The Department has delegated authority from the Department of Administrative Services to directly purchase goods and services valued at $100,000 or less.

The State Board must approve any purchase valued at $25,000 $75,000 or more.

If a proposed purchase exceeds $100,000 and is for goods and services related to technology, as that term is defined at O.C.G.A. § 50-25-1 then such purchases shall be approved by the Georgia Technology Authority.

References

Georgia's State purchasing laws, O.C.G.A § 50-5-50 et seq.
The Department of Administrative Services' Purchasing Regulations
Procedure: Purchasing Bond-Funded Goods and Services
Procedure: Purchasing Non-Bond-Funded Goods and Services
Definition of "Technology" See O.C.G.A. § 50-25-1
Purchasing Forms
Steps for Processing a Purchase Order in PeopleSoft
Steps for Processing a Purchase Order in PeopleSoft
DTAE Internal Requisition Form for Technical Colleges - NON-BOND.xls
DTAE Internal Requisition Form for Technical Institutes - BOND.xls
DTAE Internal Requisition Form.xls

Created: March 18, 2001
Revised: September 25, 2001
Approved

II. C. 1. Maintenance for Campus Facilities

Each Technical College shall develop a protocol and schedule for maintaining its campus facilities.

Created: April 23, 2001
Approved

II. C. 7. Smoking Tobacco Use

Smoking Tobacco use causes enormous financial, social and public health harm to the citizens of Georgia. Accordingly, smoking tobacco use is prohibited within the Department's central offices, all Technical Colleges and within all other facilities under the supervision or control of the Department.

Adopted: April 7, 1988
Revised: September 1, 1994
Revised: March 14, 2001
Code: 03-06-11

II. C. 12. Real Property Acquisitions and Leases

All real property acquisitions, whether purchased or donated, must be approved by the State Board and the State Properties Commission.

Before Prior to approval by the State Board is requested, the president of a Technical College should shall consult with the Commissioner as to the need of the property for the College. If acquisition is approved by the Commissioner, the Director of Facilities Management at the Central Office shall request approval of the acquisition by the State Board. and submit the following documents:

At the time the property acquisition is presented to the State Board for Approval, the following documents shall be in the Office of Facilities Management:

1) two written appraisals of the property prepared by appraisers who are one of which must be by a members of the Appraisal Institute (MAI);

2) a plat of survey of the property prepared by a Georgia Registered Land Surveyor; and

3) a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment of the property prepared by an environmental consultant.

After approval of the acquisition by the State Board, the Office of Facilities Management shall forward to the State Properties Commission a request for approval of the acquisition.
A request for the rental of off-campus space shall be submitted to the Director of Facilities Management at Central Office for approval. After approval, the Director of Facilities Management shall submit a request to the State Properties Commission to formalize a rental agreement with the Owner/Landlord of the space to be rented. All leases must be approved by the Office of Space Management, Department of Administrative Services. A Technical College desiring to lease off-campus space should first complete a Space Requisition Form and submit it to Facilities Management at the central office for processing. The State Board must approve leases where the annual rental exceeds $25,000 $75,000.

References
O.C.G.A. §50-16-30 through §15-16-47
Space Management Form
O.C.G.A. § 50-5-30

Created: May 10, 2001
Approved

II. C. 6. Use of Alcohol

The use of alcoholic beverages on Technical College campuses shall be in strict compliance with all federal, state and local laws.

Under state law alcoholic beverages may be served at a Technical College that has a business conference center capable of accommodating 200 people or more incident to its operation. (O.C.G.A. §3-8-6)

The serving of alcoholic beverages shall be limited to those occasions which serve a business, economic development, civic, social or educational purpose.

Alcoholic beverages may not be served at any student-sponsored function or event.
The serving of alcoholic beverages shall always be sponsored by an outside entity and shall not be sponsored by the Technical College.

An Agreement shall be signed by any third party wishing to serve alcoholic beverages on campus setting forth the requirements for the service of such alcoholic beverages and the President shall sign this Agreement indicating his or her approval of the service of alcohol at this particular function.

Alcoholic beverages shall not be sold. There shall be no exchange of money involved with the serving of alcohol at a Technical College and no cash bar.

Students and staff of the Technical College shall not be involved with the purchase or service of alcoholic beverages.

An experienced or professional bartender with a valid alcohol license, if applicable, shall be retained by the event sponsor to serve alcoholic beverages.

If the event is open to anyone under the age of 21, then a sign at the bar shall indicate that no alcoholic beverages will be served to anyone under 21 years of age.
The hours with which alcoholic beverages may be served shall be limited.

Anytime alcoholic beverages are served, non-alcoholic beverages must also be served. Also, appetizers should be provided, unless all guests will be having a meal immediately following the service of alcoholic beverages.

There shall be no advertisement that alcoholic beverages may be served at a Technical College.

Role of President
All final decisions regarding the service of alcoholic beverages on campus shall rest with the President of the Technical College. These decisions shall be made on a case by case basis, as appropriate.

1) The President may, in the exercise of his or her discretion, always decline to allow the serving of alcoholic beverages at a Technical College.

2) The Technical College must comply with all local laws and ordinances, if applicable, concerning the service of alcoholic beverages. The President of the Technical College is required to research this matter before alcoholic beverages may be served. Furthermore, the President shall have copies of all such laws and ordinances on file and available for consultation.

3) The President will make sure that there is secure storage available for the storage of alcoholic beverages in the event that such storage is necessary preceding or following the event where alcohol is served.

4) A President may require additional security or safeguards whenever alcohol is served at a Technical College.

5) The President shall in writing identify those locations on a Technical College campus where alcoholic beverages may be served.

Use of Public Funds Prohibited
A Technical College shall not purchase alcohol. No State-appropriated or Federal funds may be used to purchase alcohol for service at a Technical College.

Annual Review
This policy will be reviewed annually.

References
Procedure: Use of Alcoholic Beverages on Campus
O.C.G.A. §3-8-6

Revised: April 23, 2001; March 2005
Code: 09-05-22

IV. M. Instructional Live Work Projects

Certain occupational areas require specific skills or competency mastery that can best be obtained or demonstrated in a laboratory environment with real items or projects. A laboratory environment introduces the "customer dimension" into personal service occupations such as cosmetology and provides real-world working conditions to such industrial and technical occupations as auto mechanics, auto body repair, welding, building construction and others.

Instructional Live Work Projects, when carefully managed and controlled, provide a needed dimension to laboratory learning for certain occupations as a planned and integrated component of the curriculum.

Examples of such activities include nursery schools operated by students as a practicum for child care courses; barber and beauty shops operated by students as an instructional component of their coursework; and house construction built by classes when learning construction techniques.

Appropriate procedures for the implementation of this policy shall be developed by each Technical College. The procedures shall include but need are not be limited to:

1) A formalized project approval process.
2) Written Agreement and signature for patrons/clients.
3) An outline for the local accounting procedures of funds involved.
4) A listing of approved clientele and the priority in which they may be served.

Permissible Projects
1) Instructional Live Work Projects may be conducted on or off school property to enhance learning and skill development as an integral part of an approved program curriculum. Technical Colleges shall make reasonable efforts to avoid direct competition with local private enterprise.

2) Persons or organizations for whom Instructional Live Work Projects may be performed shall, in general, be a restricted and select group. Technical Colleges shall make reasonable efforts to avoid direct competition with local private enterprise.

Financial Administration
1) Technical Colleges must normally should be fully reimbursed for all direct costs associated with the delivery of Instructional Live Work Projects. The Technical Colleges may generate a reasonable profit.

2) The individual Technical Colleges shall determine the amount to be charged for each product or service provided.

3) All monies associated with Instructional Live Work Projects shall be subject to state fiscal and accounting policies but excess revenues may be carried forward to successive fiscal years.

4) Monies generated by instructional services project activities shall be classified as special revenue funds.

5) Monies generated by instructional services project activities shall be considered as a source of revenue when developing annual budgets.

6) Monies generated by instructional services project activities shall not be used to supplant existing state, federal, or local funding.

7) Instructional services project revenues exceeding budgeted estimates shall be amended into the annual operating budget during the course of the fiscal year.

8) Excess monies or "profits" generated by instructional services project activities shall be used only to enhance instructional programs.

9) Employees of Technical Colleges shall be assigned to Instructional Live Work Projects within the scope of their employment and shall not receive extra compensation except as may be warranted by normal overtime or overload policies.

10) Tips or gratuities to students working on Instructional Live Work Projects, while not expected or encouraged, may be permitted at the discretion of the Technical College President depending, inter alia, on the nature of the service provided.

Liability, Defense and Indemnification
Although instructional service projects, as an integral part of the Department's academic curriculum, are governed by the State of Georgia's constitutional doctrine of sovereign immunity and its related statutes, e Each Technical College shall take all necessary steps to ensure that its instructional service projects are managed in a way so as to minimize or eliminate the risk of harm to patrons, students and employees. Moreover, the Commissioner and the presidents of each Technical College shall take appropriate steps to legally protect the Department and the Technical Colleges from legal liability arising out of instructional service project activities. This may include requiring potential patrons and other recipients of instructional service project services to sign declarations of assumption of risk and waivers of liability.

Reference
This includes what was formerly Sales and Service of Educational Activities, 07-04-04

Adopted: November 5, 1987/Live Work
Revised: June 1991
Revised: May 7, 2001
Code: 04-01-04
Approved

I. B. Statement of Equal Opportunity

The Department of Technical and Adult Education and its constituent Technical Colleges do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam Era, or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). This nondiscrimination policy encompasses the operation of all educational programs and activities including admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other Department and Technical College-administered programs. It also encompasses the employment of personnel and contracting for goods and services. The Department and Technical Colleges shall promote the realization of equal opportunity through a positive continuing program of specific practices designed to ensure the full realization of equal opportunity.

The Department and each Technical College shall maintain and publish a grievance procedure for addressing discrimination concerns. (See Complaint Resolution Policy) These procedures shall, at a minimum, meet the federal requirements for compliance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

All job announcements published by the Department and each Technical College shall reflect at a minimum that it is an equal opportunity employer or "EOE."

Inquiries concerning the administration of this nondiscrimination policy should be addressed to any of the following offices

1) At the Central Office, inquiries should be addressed to the Director of Human Resources or other person designated by the Commissioner.

2) At a Technical College, inquiries should be addressed to the Equity Coordinator or other person designated by the President.

This policy of nondiscrimination is consistent with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Acts of 1973, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; and O.C.G.A. § 45-19-21 and other related state statutes.

Recruitment of Underrepresented Employees
The Commissioner and the Technical College Presidents and all others responsible for recruiting and hiring shall take affirmative action to recruit and hire qualified individuals who are members of federally designated minority groups and/or women and who are underrepresented in the workforce of the relevant hiring unit. The Commissioner and the Technical College Presidents and all others responsible for recruiting and hiring shall notify organizations providing employment assistance to racial minority groups, women, and/or persons with disabilities of employment vacancies and shall otherwise notify those organizations of the Department's Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action policies. Personnel vacancies shall be filled by selecting the best qualified applicant on the basis of merit, whether the applicant is an existing employee or from outside the department.
The Commissioner and the Technical College Presidents and all others responsible for recruiting and hiring shall encourage employees, to refer candidates who are members of underrepresented groups for existing and future job openings.

Training and Promotion
The Commissioner, the Technical College Presidents and all others responsible for recruiting and hiring shall take affirmative action to provide training opportunities for federally-recognized minority groups and women.

Policy Dissemination
To ensure that all citizens of the state as well as all members of the Department and the Technical Colleges communities are aware of our equal opportunity and affirmative action policy, the following communication efforts shall be made:

1) All employment applications used by the Board shall contain a notice informing prospective employees that the Department, including its constituent Technical Colleges, is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

2) Notices shall be posted in public places at the Department's Central Office and in the Technical College buildings, informing applicants for employment and employees that the Department is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and advising applicants and employees of their rights to notify an appropriate local, state, or federal agency if they believe they have been the victims of discrimination.

3) When utilizing media for recruitment purposes, help-wanted advertisements and other notices shall always advise that the Department, including its constituent Technical Colleges, is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and shall contain no indication, either explicit or implied, of a preference for one class of persons over another except when there is a bona fide occupational requirement that the position be held by a member of a particular gender or class of persons.

4) All applications for program enrollment shall contain a notice informing prospective students that the Board, including its constituent Technical Colleges, is an equal opportunity employer.

References
Procedure: Acquired Immunodeficienty Immunodeficiency Syndrome
 

III. M. 1. Complaint Resolution

The State Board, Commissioner and Technical College Presidents are committed to ensuring an environment for all students and employees that is fair, humane, and respectful; an environment that supports and rewards students and employees on the basis of relevant considerations, and that is free from illegal or inappropriate conduct. The Department and Technical Colleges expect standards of professional behavior that exceed those minimally prescribed by law.

In an instance of perceived violation of Department or Technical College policies, standards of professional conduct or state or federal law, a member of the Technical College community or employee of the Department's Central Office may file a complaint, which shall be resolved as set forth in this policy and procedures. Employees in the classified service may follow the procedure for grievances established by the State Merit System and the State Personnel Board.

Retaliation in any form against individuals bringing grievances is prohibited and will subject the offender to disciplinary action. In many instances it is also a violation of state and federal law. An individual who initiates a fraudulent or bad faith claim or charge shall also be subject to disciplinary action.

References
Procedure: Complaint Resolution
Procedure: Sexual Harrassment Harassment Complaint Procedures

V. B. 1. Admissions

Nondiscrimination
In accordance with the Statement of Equal Opportunity, the Department and its constituent Technical Colleges do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam Era' or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law).

Eligible Applicants
Any individual 16 years of age or older who seeks access to quality instruction designed to develop or improve occupational competencies is eligible for admissions. Presidents of Technical Colleges may waive the “16 years of age” requirement for secondary students who are participating in an articulated program of study.

Academic Criteria
A GED or high school diploma will not transcript will be required for admission to the Technical College or to a program area unless as specified by the program's standards. or a Board approved program proposal. However, students in diploma, degree and specified programs must receive a GED or a high school diploma prior to graduation.  Exceptions to this would be for prospective students who have attained an Associate degree or higher, or successful completion (C or better) a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours.  Presidents of Technical Colleges may grant a waiver to the admissions requirement as it relates only to possessing a GED or high school diploma for those secondary students who are otherwise eligible to enroll in a program of study that is agreed upon by the secondary school and the Technical College.

In order to be accepted by a Technical College, high school diplomas must have been awarded by a secondary school that is accredited by an agency included in the Department’s list of recognized accreditation agencies. Alternate types of diplomas from accredited schools as defined in this section may be accepted at the discretion of the president.  if a student shows sufficient evidence of readiness for a program of postsecondary education. However, students being admitted in this manner must meet all other eligibility criteria.

Students completing a secondary program of study that is not approved by the United States Department of Education or a recognized accreditation agency accepted by the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education or meets the requirements of O.C.G.A. 20-2-690 for home schooled students (please hot link OCGA 20-2-690 here) may nevertheless be admitted to a Technical College by attaining a GED or through one of the following paths.

1) Documentation of certified home schooling or equivalent as outlined in O.C.G.A 20-2-690; appropriate placement test cut-off scores (e.g. ASSET-Compass); and a minimum SAT and appropriate SAT critical reasoning/verbal and math scores or ACT verbal and math scores as specified by the program standards. score of 430 verbal/400math, OR ACT score of 18 verbal/16 math.

2) Presidential waiver - Students being admitted under this section may seek a Presidential waiver from the usual requirement that they earn a high school diploma or GED prior to graduation from a Technical College program.

3) Students with diplomas from secondary schools located outside the United States may have their transcripts evaluated for equivalency by an approved outside evaluation organization or follow paths 1 or 2 as identified above.

Admissions Criteria
Minimum admissions requirements shall be established for each standard diploma/degree program.

Students shall be admitted to a Technical College in one of the following categories:  Regular; Provisional; Developmental studies; Special; or Transient.

1) Regular                     
2) Provisional
3) Developmental Studies
4) Special
5) Transient

Minimum admissions requirements shall be established for each standard diploma/degree program.

Regular Admission Requirements
Students shall be admitted on a regular admission basis to a degree or diploma program when they meet program standard admission requirements and institutional admission requirements.

Regular admission of a student to a technical certificate of credit (TCC) program is based upon the admission requirements approved by the State Board.

Transfer students must meet regular admission requirements and be in good standing at a regionally or nationally accredited diploma or degree granting institution.

Regular admission status is based upon the credential (degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit) being sought by the student. Any change in the credential being sought shall require a student to meet the admission requirements of the new credential.

Provisional Admission Requirements
Admission officers may grant provisional admission status to any student based upon their professional judgment and evaluation of assessment scores, other admission file data, or faculty input.

Provisionally admitted students may take developmental classes, pre-tech courses, and certain specified occupational courses as long as class requisites are satisfied.
All certificate, diploma, and degree program students initially admitted on a provisional basis must have satisfactorily completed the necessary prerequisite and developmental studies course work in order to progress through the State Standard Curriculum.

Provisional admission of transferred students to a certificate, diploma, or degree program is contingent upon their meeting applicable licensure and accreditation requirements.

Developmental Studies Admission Requirements
Developmental Studies Admission is granted to students seeking a certificate, diploma, or degree, but who do not meet the regular or provisional admission requirements. Each Technical College may establish its own placement tests floors for this category and refer applicants who score below this floor to adult literacy classes.

Special Student Admissions
Definition of non-award seeking students:  Students who want to receive credit for enrolled coursework, but are not seeking a certificate, diploma, or degree.

Special student admission is granted to students who want to receive credit for enrolled coursework, but are not seeking a certificate, diploma or degree. The following specifics define the parameters of this classification. Special admissions student shall:

• be classified as non-award seeking at time of entry.
• be granted special student status upon recommendation of the admissions office.
• receive credit for regular program coursework that is satisfactorily completed.
• receive credit for an unlimited number of courses; but may transfer only 25 credit hours into a specific program for award seeking purposes.
• have the prerogative of applying for regular student status but must meet the requirements of the regular student admissions process. This includes the State approved assessment process. The number of hours taken as a special student in no way waives the requirements of the regular admission process.
• adhere to the specific institutional prerequisite requirements when selecting courses.
• Is is not eligible for financial aid.

Transient Student
A student in good standing may be permitted to enroll as a transient student on a space-available basis at another Technical College in order to complete work to be transferred back to the student's home institution. The home and host technical college should sign a Transient Student Agreement. A transient student should be advised in writing by the home institution concerning recommended courses. The transient student must:

1) Submit an application for admission and required application fee to the host institution.

2) Present a statement from the Registrar or Academic Dean of the parent institution to the effect that the student is in good standing and eligible to return to that institution. NOTE: The 25 hour credit maximum may be waived for the student upon the recommendation of the parent institution.

3) Pay scheduled fees for the host institution.

Link O.C.G.A. 20-2-690 here

References
Programs of Study
Accreditation Agencies List
 

V. B. 2. Assessment

The ability of a student to succeed in an occupational program at a Technical College is greatly determined by the math and language skills possessed by that student. The Department of Technical and Adult Education is committed to assisting each student achieve at their maximum potential. It is the philosophy of this agency that a student is not helped by admitting him or her to a program in which he or she does not possess the basic education skills needed to succeed. Therefore, all students applying for diploma, degree and specified certificate programs must be assessed prior to acceptance to a program of study at a Technical College. Students will then be admitted in accordance with the academic standards applicable to that program.

Assessment is far more comprehensive than the basic skills testing process. Assessment is the opportunity for and the responsibility of each Technical College to collect information about prospective students that is relevant to their educational experience. This information should be used to assist each student to experience success in their educational endeavors.

All Technical Colleges must normally utilize the a state-approved assessment instruments when evaluating students for program readiness. These are the test(s) selected by the Joint Assessment Committee of the Vice Presidents of Student support services and Instructional Services and approved by the Presidents' council for use in Georgia's Technical Colleges.

In lieu of the state approved assessment instrument, a Technical College may accept a student's official entrance score on a validated assessment instrument. The Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education's Minimum Program Scores must be used when determining the appropriate entrance score for these alternative instruments. If a student's scores do not meet these state-established minimums, a student must be assessed using the state-approved instrument.

Students may be reassessed according to the particular policy of each Technical College and in accordance with the guidelines of the test publisher. An appropriate reassessment fee may be charged at the discretion of each Technical College.

Official transcripts from an accredited institution approved by the United States Secretary of Education documenting equivalent program-level English and math coursework successfully completed at other postsecondary institutions may be used to document a student's basic education skills and eliminate the need to complete that portion of the assessment instrument.

An appropriate reassessment fee may be charged at the discretion of each Technical College.

Each Technical College must develop an assessment policy that is in compliance with this policy.

The scores made by a student on state-approved assessment instruments will be considered valid for placement purposes for a period of 60 months.

V. C. Student Handbooks

Each Technical College shall create and make available a student handbook to all students. publish, electronically or otherwise, on a regular basis a student handbook. The handbook shall incorporate, either directly or by reference, all appropriate information regarding student life at the Technical College. It shall also contain all information necessary to meet state and federal regulatory requirements for informing students of their rights pertaining to, among other things, privacy of their student records, campus security and safety, freedom from illegal discrimination, and tuition refunds.

The Student Handbook may be contained in the College Catalogue.

Reference
Procedure: Summary of Student Notification Requirements
 

V. H. Academic Standards, Evaluations, and Appeals

The Technical Colleges shall maintain academic standards that are, to the maximum extent feasible, uniformly applied among all students.

Absent extraordinary circumstances, instructors shall provide a copy of the course syllabus to all students in each class by the end of the first full week of class for every term.
Instructors' evaluations of student work should be periodic, measure the achievement of the objectives or competencies, have clear directions, be reasonable in difficulty, and be comprehensive. Instructors shall allow students to review all graded tests and other academic evaluations within a reasonable time to allow feedback and remedial instruction. Instructors shall maintain documentation sufficient to justify the grade a student earns. This documentation shall be maintained for two quarters following the quarter the grade was conferred or until any grade appeal is resolved, whichever occurs last.

A student who engages in academic misconduct such as cheating shall face disciplinary charges under the Code of Student Conduct in addition to any loss of academic credit or standing that may result from their having failed to meet a course's academic requirements.

Academic Probation, Suspension and Dismissal
A student who fails to maintain the required grade point average in a particular program may be placed on academic probation. A student who fails to improve his or her academic performance after being placed on probation shall be suspended or dismissed from either the academic program or the Technical College.

In appropriate circumstances, a student may be dismissed from an academic program or Technical College without first being placed on probation.

A student who is dismissed from the Technical College may appeal their suspension or dismissal in accordance with their Technical College policy. In the absence of a local policy, the student may file a written appeal with the Vice President for Instructional Services within two weeks from the date the student learns or reasonably should have learned of their suspension or dismissal grade.

Grade and Other Academic Appeals
A student may appeal a final grade or other academic decision in accordance with their Technical College policy that will be published in the college catalog or student handbook. In the absence of a local policy, the student may appeal by raising the issue with the instructor who awarded the grade or made the academic decision. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the appeal must be filed within two weeks from the date the student learned or reasonably should have learned of the grade or other action complained of. If the consultation with the instructor does not resolve the appeal a student may appeal, to the instructional dean or director by filing a written request for review. Absent extraordinary circumstances, this request for review must be filed within four weeks from the date the student learned or reasonably should have learned of the grade or other action complained of. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the dean or director, the student may appeal in writing to the Vice President for Instructional Services. Absent extraordinary circumstances, this request for review must be filed within six weeks from the date the student learned or reasonably should have learned of the grade or other action complained of.

The decision of the Vice President for Instructional Services shall be final.
 

V. O. Campus Security

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (formerly the Campus Security Act of 1990) 20 U.S.C. § 1092 and 34 C.F.R. Part 668 requires colleges receiving federal funds to publish annually specific crime-related information in an annual report.

In compliance with this legislation the technical colleges shall report campus crime statistics, campus offenses, and security measures to all students and employees by October 1 of each year. Prospective students and employees shall receive either a copy of the report or a notice of its availability and a brief summary of its contents. The report may be published electronically but students, employees, and potential students or employees must be given a paper copy upon request and must be individually told of the report's availability in electronic form.

Each Technical College shall also ensure that timely warnings go out whenever a threat to students and employees is present for the crimes listed below, which are reported to local police or campus security authorities. Each President shall establish procedures on how to issue these notices.

Each Technical College shall report crime statistics to the U.S. Secretary of Education in accordance with the applicable regulations.

The Report shall also contain a statement of current campus policies regarding procedures for students and others to report criminal actions or other emergencies occurring on campus, including

• policies for making timely warning reports to members of the campus community and for preparing the annual disclosure of crime statistics,
• a list of the titles of each person or organization to whom students and employees should report the criminal offenses described below, and
• whether the technical college has any policies or procedures (and a description of same) that allow disclosure by victims or witnesses of crimes on a voluntary, confidential basis for inclusion in the annual disclosure of crime statistics;

The Report shall also contain a statement of current policies concerning security and access to campus facilities, including campus residences, ;and security considerations used in the maintenance of campus facilities; and a statement of current policies concerning campus law enforcement that addresses the enforcement authority of security personnel, including their relationship with State and local police agencies and whether those security personnel have the authority to arrest individuals, encourages accurate and prompt reporting of all crimes, and describes procedures, if any, that encourage professional or pastoral counselors to inform persons being counseled of voluntary disclosure procedures referenced above.

The Report shall also contain a description of the type and frequency of programs designed to inform students and employees about campus security procedures and practices and to encourage students and employees to be responsible for their own security and the security of others; a description of programs designed to inform students and employees about the prevention of crimes; a statement of the technical college's policy concerning monitoring of student criminal activity at off-campus locations of officially recognized student organizations; a statement of policy regarding the possession, use, and sale of alcoholic beverages and enforcement of State underage drinking laws; a statement of policy regarding the possession, use, and sale of illegal drugs and enforcement of federal and state drug laws; a description of any drug or alcohol-abuse education programs, as required under Section 120(a) - (d) of the Higher Education Act; and a statement of policy regarding the Technical College's campus sexual assault programs to prevent sex offenses, and procedures to follow when a sex offense occurs. (34 C.F.R. § 668.46(b) (11))

Each Technical College shall retain the records on crime statistics for three years following the last year the information was included in the annual report. For example, October 1, 1997 campus security records would be kept until October 1, 2003.

Reference
20 U.S.C. § 1092 (Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act)
34 C.F.R. Part 668
Procedures for Implementation of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure Act
Campus Crime Log
Crimes and Campus Offenses To Be Reported
The Following Persons shall be Responsible for Reporting Crimes and Campus Offenses
Crime Statistics that Do Not Require Reporting
 

V. P. Student Organizations and Activities

The Department and the Technical Colleges shall facilitate leadership development and personal enrichment for students by providing them the opportunity to participate in a variety of organizations which they may join and activities that in which they may participate.

Organization: A student organization is usually formed to advance a specific interest or need associated with higher education.  Membership into these organizations must be open to all technical college students unless the nature of the organization is focused on certain criteria (i.e. honor society).  , a group of students formed to advance a specific interest area or meet a particular need, affiliation being open to all technical college students may be voluntary, by election, or by qualification (as with academic honor societies).

Activities: Any of a range of programs designed to serve the cultural, recreational, service, or social interests of students. Major events must be coordinated through the Office of Student Activities. All activities must be approved in advance by the Vice President of Student Support Development Services.

Charter: The formal and official sanction granted to an organization by the technical college, thereby warranting its legitimacy as a student group. All organizations must achieve approval in advance by the Vice President of Student Support Development Services.
Nondiscrimination: Student organizations shall comply with the Department's Policy on Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action.

References                 
Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
 

V. S. 1. Residence Hall Room Entry and Search Policy

The purpose of this policy procedure is to inform resident students and Technical College staff of the limitations upon authority of Technical College employees to enter, or to grant to other persons permission to enter, residence hall rooms under the control of the Technical College during the period of occupancy by students. Technical College officials and employees are not permitted to enter or to search student residences during the period of occupancy except in accord with these procedures.

I. Definitions

1) Student Residence: The residence hall room occupied by a student or students, and owned by the Technical College.

2) Period of Occupancy: The period of time during which a student has been permitted to reside in a student residence by written agreement with Technical College, specifically excluding designated Technical College holidays or between semester breaks during which the residence hall is officially closed and not available for residency by students.

II. Entry and Search by Consent of the Student

1) Any authorized Technical College employee may enter a student residence if a student who is a resident gives voluntary consent. The student's consent must be freely given and must not be based on coercion or threats by the Technical College, and must not be occasioned by a student's fear of reprisal for failure to give consent.

2) The intrusion by the employee must be limited to the scope of the consent given by the student; for example, if the student consents to entry by the employee, the employee is not entitled to search the student's belongings without obtaining further consent to do so.

3) Any student who is a resident of the room may consent to entry by the authorized Technical College employee and to the search of that student's personal belongings. However, no student may consent to the search of another student's closets, locker, suitcases, or other areas under the primary control of another student. Whenever a student's area or belongings are searched by consent, a consent to search form is to be completed by the staff member making the search and signed by the student(s) whose belongings are to be searched.

III. Entry Without Consent in a Health or Safety Emergency

The Head Resident, Student Housing Officer, Vice President of Student support services, or anyone specifically designated by the President may enter a student's room without consent when that person has a reasonable cause to believe that such entry is necessary on an emergency basis to protect the health or safety of persons or to make emergency repairs to Technical College facilities to avoid damage to Technical College or student property.

IV. Entry for Routine Inspections

The Student Housing Officer or designee may enter student rooms without student consent to conduct general and routine inspections for health, safety, and building maintenance purposes. Such inspections may be conducted only after the Technical College has posted a notice indicating the purpose of inspection and stating the inspection will take place no sooner than 24 and no later than 72 hours after the notice is posted. During the indicated time period, the employee authorized to conduct the inspection may not enter the room without first knocking on the door and announcing the purpose for entry.

V. Entry Without Consent on Suspicion of Violation of Technical College Regulations or Federal or State Law.

1) Where federal, state, or local law enforcement officers, including campus security, are involved in an investigation of possible violation of state or federal law, any search of a student residence shall be conducted only by such law enforcement officers and only in accord with legal standards applicable to police searches of private residences, and no Technical College employee or agent other than a Technical College security officer is authorized to conduct a search of a student residence in connection with such investigation. Technical College officials may, however, cooperate with the law enforcement officers executing a search authorized by an appropriate federal or state officer.

2) If no federal or state law enforcement officer (including campus security) is involved in an investigation of a possible violation of Technical College policy, and if a Technical College employee (other than a Technical College campus security officer) or student has reason to believe that a search of a particular room will yield evidence of violation of a Technical College regulation by a particular student, that employee or student should contact the Head Resident or Student Housing Officer. If the Head Resident or Student Housing Officer, after hearing the employee's or student's statements, believes that a search of a particular student residence may produce evidence of a violation of Technical College regulations, or evidence of the identity of a person committing such a violation, the Head Resident or Student Housing Officer may apply to an appropriate Vice President for an administrative search warrant. The Vice President shall sign the student residence search warrant only if there is reasonable cause to believe that the item(s) described in the application and related to the commission of a violation is located as described in the application and that it is in the best interest of the Technical College and its students to conduct an administrative search. Evidence found in the administrative search that indicates a violation of Technical College policy may be used for internal Technical College proceedings.