Student Handbook 2010-2011 - Holyoke Community College

Right to KnowIt's Your Right to Know…The Student-Right-to-Know law is a federal law that mandatesthe disclosure of certain types of information. Belowis a directory that will guide you to that information. If youhave questions about how to access information please call(413) 552-2000.AccreditationHolyoke Community College is accredited by the NewEngland Association of Schools and Colleges. The collegehas received the endorsement of the MassachusettsDepartment of Education and is a member of the AmericanAssociation of Community College Council.It is the policy of Holyoke Community College not to discriminateon the basis of sex, creed, color, race, sexual orientation,age, national origin, or disability in its educationalprograms, activities, or employment policies as requiredby Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments and otherFederal and State anti-discrimination laws. Inquiries regardingcompliance with Title IX may be directed to Title IXCoordinator Idelia Smith, Affirmative Action Officer atHolyoke Community College, 303 Homestead Avenue,Holyoke, MA 01040, or telephone (413) 552-2770.The Holyoke Community College Catalog contains currentinformation regarding areas of study, career opportunities,student services, and admissions. However, it is not, intendedto be and should not be relied upon as a statement of thecollege’s contractual undertakings. The Holyoke CommunityCollege Board of Trustees and the Massachusetts Departmentof Higher Education reserve the right to alter the college’sacademic policies, procedures, course offerings, and fees asset forth in this catalog.Accreditation by the New England Association is not partialbut applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not aguarantee of the quality of every course or program offered,or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it providesreasonable assurance about the quality of opportunitiesavailable to students who attend the institution.Inquiries regarding the status of an institution’s accreditationby the New England Association should be directed to theadministrative staff of the school or college. Individuals mayalso contact the association:New England Association of Schools and Colleges209 Burlington RoadBedford, MA 01730(781) 271-0022 NEASC.OrgMassachusetts Department of Higher EducationRoom 1401One Ashburton Place,Boston, MA 02108-1696Note: Certain programs have industry-specific accreditations.For individual academic program information, please refer to theHCC Catalog, www.hcc.edu/about/camp_news_pub.html.Athletic Participation RatesHolyoke Community College complies with the requirementsof Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in allprograms and activities receiving federal financial assistance.HCC receives such assistance and complies with this lawand its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106. TheAnnual Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act Report is availableat the Athletics Department office, room 204 of theBartley Center for Athletics and Recreation.Degrees and CertificatesHolyoke Community College offers more than 100 associatedegree and certificate options. Degrees are designed to becompleted with two years of full-time study. Degrees preparestudents for specific careers and/or transfer to four-year institutions.Certificate programs prepare students for highly specializedcareers and are designed to be completed with oneyear of full-time study or less. For a list of associate degreeand certificate programs, see HCC’s Registration Booklet,which is published three times each year and is available inthe Welcome Center and online at www.hcc.edu. You mayalso view a list by going to the academic programs page ofthe HCC website, http://hcc.edu/programs/programs.html.FacilitiesHCC provides a variety of academic and recreational facilitiesfor students, faculty, and staff. For a complete list of labs,see page 13. For athletic recreational opportunities, see page5. For a list of parking options, see pages 15. For more informationon the HCC library, see page 13.Facilities and Services for Students WithDisabilitiesTo see HCC’s disabilities policy, please see page 33.For information on services available to students with disabilities,see page 14.62