Student Handbook and Catalog 2021-22 V2

86 | College Catalog and Student Handbook
Where such mediation efforts fail or the student does not
wish to pursue mediation, the student complainant may
seek formal resolution concerning potential suspects of
criminal behavior. The term is not relevant as it pertains to
witnesses, complainants or other citizen contacts.
Instructional Philosophy
TSTC trains employees for tomorrow’s careers, helping to
strengthen the economic competitiveness of Texas and
improve the lives of its people. TSTC believes in “learning
by thinking and doing.” Its curricula give students the
technical knowledge, skills and abilities they need to be
successful in their chosen careers. Its faculty is highly
qualified, with years of business and industry experience
in their respective fields. And its facilities and equipment
provide students with significant opportunities to apply
what they learn.
Industry Advisory Committees
Industry Advisory Committees are an essential component
of TSTC’s graduate success. Their members guide
curriculum development by advising faculty on the skills,
knowledge, and abilities that employees need. They help
to create and equip facilities so students gain experiences
that enhance their value to employers. Their on-going
involvement ensures that TSTC students receive the right
kind of education.
The TSTC Foundation
The TSTC Foundation, created in 2000, is recognized by
the United States Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)3
non-profit organization, and is purposed to “promote
the interests and general welfare of all components of
the Texas State Technical College System, to encourage
the development of community support for technical
education across Texas; to contact legislators and
other governmental agencies in support of TSTC’s role
and mission; to influence public opinion in support of
technical education in general and Texas State Technical
College in particular.” The TSTC Foundation can assist TSTC
by providing funding for scholarships and other important
purposes, investing gifts and donations, building
relationships and collaborating with individuals and
outside entities, and by providing financing arrangements
for capital purposes.
Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act (FERPA)
TSTC complies with the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act and informs students of their rights under the
act. Student’s rights covered by the act are as follows::
1. The right to inspect and review the academic record
within 45 days after the day Texas State Technical
College receives a request for access.
A student should submit to the Office of the Registrar
or other appropriate official, a written request that
identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect.
The school official will make arrangements for access
and notify the student of the time and place where
the records may be inspected. If the records are not
maintained by the school official to whom the request
was submitted, that official shall advise the student
of the correct official to whom the request should be
addressed.
2. The right of a student to petition to the College to
amend or correct any part of his/her academic record
which is believed to be inaccurate, misleading or in
violation of the privacy or other rights of the student.
When the College decides it will not amend or correct
a student’s record, the student has a right to a hearing
to present evidence that the record is inaccurate,
misleading or in violation of the privacy or other rights
of the student.
A student who wishes to petition to amend or correct
a record may submit a written statement to the
Custodian of Student Records identifying the part of
the record the student wants changed, and specify
why it should be changed. If the College decides not
to amend the record as requested, the College will
notify the student in writing of the decision and the
student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for
amendment.
3. The right to provide written consent before the
College discloses personally identifiable information
contained in the student’s education records, except
to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without
consent.
Texas State Technical College discloses education
records without a student’s prior written consent
under the exception for disclosure to school officials
with legitimate educational interests. A school official
is as a person employed by Texas State Technical
College in an administrative, supervisory, academic
or research, or support staff position (including law
enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a
person approved by and under contract to TSTC in a
faculty position; a person or company with whom the
College has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor or
collection agent); a person appointed by the Governor
tstc.edu
Texas State Technical College