Solano College is committed to protecting the right of privacy of all persons about whom it holds information, records, and files. Access to and release of such records are restricted to the student concerned, to other individuals who have been authorized by the student (only with the student's written consent), to officials within the College, to a court of competent jurisdiction and, otherwise, pursuant to law.

As provided for in the Act, a student's personal information cannot be released to any other person without the written consent of the student. A photo identification will be required to access information. Official student records are kept in the Office of Admissions and Records. The Dean of Admissions and Records has been designated "Record Officer," as required by the Act.

Under Section 76230 of the Education Code, current and formerly-enrolled stu-dents have an absolute right of access to their own records. One exception is that under Section 76231 of the Education Code, students may waive their right of access to confidential reference letters.

Under Section 49061 of the Education code, parents of community college students do not have a right of access to their children’s student records, regardless of whether the student is under the age of 18. Also, under federal law (Section 1232g of Title 20 of the United States Code, there is a general right of parental access to student records, but not for college students, regardless of age.

Under Section 76244 of the Education Code, a District must make a “reasonable effort” to notify a student in advance of the production of his or her records under subpoena.

The Student Right-to-Know (SRTK)
Education is fundamental to the development of individual citizens and the progress of the Nation as a whole. There is increasing concern among citizens, educators, and public officials regarding the academic performance of students at institutions of higher education. Prospective students and prospective student athletes should be aware of the educational commitments of an institution of higher education. Knowledge of graduation rates helps prospective students and prospective student athletes make an informed judgment about the educational benefits available at a given institution of higher education.

In conformance with the "Student Right-To-Know Act" of 1990, completion and transfer rate statistics are available in the office of the Vice President of Student Services, and can be viewed at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office website, http://www.cccco.edu, under the listing “Reports and Student Right-to-Know.”

CIVIL RIGHTS

Open Access and Non-Discrimination
It is the policy of the Solano Community College District, based on California Title V regulations, that no person, on the basis of ethnic group identification, religion, age, sex, color or physical or mental disability, shall be unlawfully subjected to discrimination under any program or activity that is funded directly by, or that receives any financial assistance from, the Chancellor or Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.

Other forms of unlawful/prohibited discrimination under federal and state law include discrimination on the basis of race or national origin. Further, the College District, in compliance with State law, will not tolerate behavior by students or staff, which insults, degrades, threatens, stereotypes or otherwise discriminates on the basis of marital status, pregnancy, political activities or affiliation and/or medical condition. In addition, Solano Community College has identified other forms of discrimination not recognized by the Chancellor's Office and the State of California to include veteran status and sexual orientation. Complaints should be filed with the Director of Human Resources.

"Title IX" of the Education Amendment of 1972 guarantees the right of students to be free of sex discrimination. This applies to the following: access to courses, counseling and guidance services, treatment of students, access to personal records, athletics, financial assistance and work experience. Student inquiries concerning "Title IX" complaints should be directed to the Director of Human Resources.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 guarantees individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a services, programs or activities conducted by the College or under College sponsorship. To support these rights, it is the responsibility of the College to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services to ensure effective communication with individuals with hearing or visual impairments. Complaints should be directed to the Director of Human Resources, Building 600. Alternatively, an individual who believes that he or she or a specific class of individuals has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability may file a complaint directly with the Federal Department of Education.

Affirmative Action
The Solano Community College District is subject to all laws governing Affirmative Action and equal opportunity including but not limited to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Titles VI & VII), "Executive Order #11246 of 1965," the Educational Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (§504), California Fair Employment Practices of 1959, and the Age Discrimination and Employment Act of 1972. Solano Community College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religious creed, political affiliation, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy, medical condition, age (over 40) or physical/mental disability in its education programs and employment practices. Inquiries concerning compliance or complaints may be addressed to the Director of Human Resources.

Student Equity
The mission of the California Community Colleges is to serve the educational needs of all residents of the State, regardless of the educational or socioeconomic background, ethnic or cultural heritage of students seeking higher education opportunities. The Solano Community College District is committed to the principle that all students equally achieve their educational goals.

Academic Freedom — Students
Every student is guaranteed the right of full expression and advocacy (Board Policy §5570), consistent with established District policy and regulations (Board Policy §5580). To this end, a "Hyde Park" location has been designated near the Student Center (Building 1400). This is the area where peaceful assembly may take place for the purpose of free expression and exchange of ideas by the students and staff of the College. Outside speakers and groups must be sponsored by a campus organization, faculty member or administrator.

The "Hyde Park" area is available seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., unless otherwise reserved. Scheduling of this area must be done through the Office of Student Development prior to the activity.

Speech, with or without electronic amplification, shall not interfere with nor disrupt the orderly operation of the College, including classroom instruction, registration procedures, public programs and athletic events. The expression of obscene, libelous or slanderous statements, according to current legal standards, or statements which so incite students as to create a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on campus premises or the violation of College regulations or the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the College are prohibited.

Academic Freedom — Faculty
The Solano County Community College District affirms its belief in the academic freedom of its full and adjunct faculty and students to engage in any teaching, studying, research, writing, and criticism deemed appropriate by such individuals to the spirit of free inquiry and pursuit of truth.

As stated in the Academic Freedom and Tenure, 1969 (Handbook of American Association of University Professors):

…academic freedom consists in the absence of, or protection from, such restraints or pressures — chiefly in the form of sanctions, threatened by the state or church authorities or by the authorities, faculties, or students of colleges and universities, but occasionally also by other power groups in society — as are designed to create in the minds of academic scholars (teachers, research workers, and students in colleges and universities) fears and anxieties that may inhibit them from freely studying and investigating whatever they are interested in, and from freely discussing, teaching or publishing whatever opinions they have reached.

Since these rights of academic freedom carry responsibilities with them, each faculty member and student should strive to be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, show respect for the opinions of others, and must indicate that he or she does not speak, necessarily, for the College.

Information on posting materials and conducting fundraising activities is available in the Student Development Office.

Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is prohibited by law and by College policy (Board Policies §4270 and §4285). Sexual harassment is defined as "unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature" when:

• Submission to such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of an individual's employment, appointment, admission, or academic evaluation
• Submission to such conduct is used as a basis for evaluation in personnel decisions or academic evaluations affecting an individual
• Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive or otherwise adverse working or educational environment; or
• The conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with a student's academic performance, creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive or otherwise adverse learning environment or adversely affecting any student.

Sexual harassment happens to both men and women. In determining whether conduct constitutes sexual harassment, the circumstances surrounding the conduct should be considered. Sexual harassment may include one or more of the following:

• Questions about one's sexual behavior
• Sexually-oriented jokes
• Inappropriate comments about one's body and clothing
• Conversation filled with innuendoes and double meanings
• Sexually suggestive pictures or objects displayed to embarrass or humiliate
• Pinching, fondling, patting or kissing
• Requests for sexual favors
• Repeated, un-welcomed propositions for dates
• Demands for sexual intercourse
• Unfavorable consequences for refusing to submit.

Questions or complaints should be directed to the Director of Human Resources.