Rights and Legal Notices

Academic Freedom

Alcohol & Drug Policy

By Gubernatorial decree and in compliance with applicable laws, the illegal use of alcohol, other drugs, or controlled substances when on campus is prohibited.

In addition to the policy described above, education, training, and treatment programs are available through the student life programs at each institution and through Auraria Human Resources. The campus may take action when policies on the use, possession, distribution, manufacture, and sale of illegal drugs have been violated. AHEC also cooperates with local, state, and federal authorities in the detection and possession of drug offenses.

Alcohol

AHEC alcohol policies apply to the Auraria Campus and institution-sponsored activities. Administrators, alumni, faculty, guests, staff, and students must adhere to all applicable state and local laws and regulations related to the sale and use of alcoholic beverages. The most common laws related to alcohol use and sales are as follows:

The sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited except in areas, at times, and on dates licensed by the Colorado State Department of Revenue.

Persons under 21 years of age cannot legally possess or consume alcoholic beverages of any kind. The furnishing of alcoholic beverages to under-aged persons is prohibited.

Alcohol cannot be consumed or carried in open containers on any street, sidewalk, alley, automobile, or public area (except as noted herein).

Serving Alcohol

Those persons or organizations that control the service of alcoholic beverages are responsible for compliance with applicable laws and campus policies. Those policies are:

• Service of alcoholic beverages is planned to stop before the close of the event.
• The burden of proof for showing legal age is on the alcohol consumer. No alcohol will be served unless clear evidence of legal age is presented. It is the responsibility of those in charge of an event to ensure that no one who is under age is served or consumes any alcoholic beverages.
• Alcohol may not be consumed or carried in open containers in common areas or "public" areas of any building or grounds except as follows: for group activities or events where a liquor license (if required) has been obtained and the scheduling officer has approved the event.

Illegal Drugs

The policy for Auraria and the institutions prohibit the sale, manufacture, distribution, use or possession of illegal drugs on the Auraria Campus. This policy applies equally to administrators, faculty, staff, and students.

NOTE: Although possession and use of marijuana consistent with the requirements of the Colorado Constitution is no longer a crime in the State of Colorado, the possession and use of marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Consistent with federal law, including the Controlled Substances Act and the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, the use and/or possession of marijuana continues to be prohibited while a student is on college owned or college controlled property, and/or any function authorized or supervised by the college and/or in state owned or leased vehicles.

Violation of Drug Policy

Sale, distribution, or manufacturing of illegal drugs by a member of the Auraria Campus community will normally result in the administration taking action to curtail the activity. This policy applies within or upon the grounds, buildings, or any other facilities of the campus. Sanctions may be imposed upon individuals found in violation of these policies, as well as violation of laws controlling drugs and alcohol.

More specific and detailed information about Auraria and institutional policies addressing drugs and alcohol concerns can be found in operations manuals, student handbooks, personnel offices or administrative policy information. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to obtain this information through the Student Life or administrative areas of Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, University of Colorado Denver or the Auraria Higher Education Center Administrative office.

Auraria Police Department
1201 5th Street, Suite 110
Denver, CO 80204
Police: (303) 556.5000
Fax: (303) 556.4731
E-Mail: dispatch@ahec.edu

Health Risks of Alcohol and Drug Use

Alcohol Affects the Body

Alcohol is a drug. It is important for students and staff to understand that alcohol abuse impairs judgment and the peripheral and central nervous system. Alcohol affects different people in different ways. Some of the characteristics that determine the way alcohol affects people include:

• Gender
• Mood
• Body Weight
• Type of Alcohol
• Full/Empty Stomach
• Speed of Consumption
• Use of Medication or Other Drugs

For most people, the effects of alcohol are determined by simple volume.

Alcohol Impairment

When a person drinks alcohol, it can enter the bloodstream as soon as they begin to drink. The molecular structure of alcohol (or ethanol) is small, so the alcohol can be absorbed or transferred into the blood through the mouth, the walls of the stomach, and the small intestine.

The stomach has a relatively slow absorption rate; it is the small intestine that absorbs most of the alcohol. It is important to keep the alcohol in the stomach as long as possible by eating food, which dilutes the alcohol and keeps it from entering the small intestine so quickly. Once alcohol gets into the bloodstream it moves through the body and comes into contact with virtually every organ. However, some of the highest concentrations, and the highest impact, are caused by the alcohol that reaches the brain.

The body is quite efficient when it comes to dealing with alcohol. The liver is designed to metabolize the alcohol as it is consumed. Enzymes break down the alcohol into harmless products and then it is excreted. However, the liver can only handle so much alcohol at a time. For a person of average weight and body type, the liver and small intestine can handle alcohol at a rate of about one drink per hour.

If a person drinks at a faster rate than one drink per hour, the alcohol stays in the body, waiting to be metabolized. If there is more alcohol in the body than can be metabolized, the result is increasing levels of intoxication.

Information source: www.Bacchusnetwork.org

For information regarding the effects of illicit drugs on the body, we recommend: http://www.dea.gov/druginfo/factsheets.shtml

Potential Sanctions for Violations of the Alcohol and Drug Policy

At the Community College of Denver, any student who is found to be in violation of the alcohol and/or drug policy will be adjudicated under the Student Code of Conduct: CCD.edu/StudentCode. If found responsible for a violation, the student may face sanctions, which range from warning to expulsion.

Resources for Students and Employees

If a student or employee has questions about alcohol or drug use and is in need of counseling, treatment or rehabilitation programs, information is available through the Auraria Health Center at 303.556.2525.

Americans with Disabilities Act & CCD Compliance

The Americans with Disabilities Act, including The Amendments Act of 2008, prohibits discrimination based on disability in admission to, access to, and the operation of programs, services, or activities at CCD. The college is committed to providing an environment where all students have the opportunity to attain their educational goals. CCD provides both physical and programmatic access for all students. Reasonable accommodations will be made to ensure full educational opportunities for all students. Appropriate documentation of a student’s disability is required. Visit the Accessibility Center (CCD.edu/Access) for additional information on accommodations.

CCD complies with and fully supports Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), including changes made by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, regarding nondiscrimination on the basis of disability (documentation required). Refer questions concerning these acts to:

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
1244 Speer Blvd., Suite. 300
Denver, CO 80204-3582

or

http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/know.html

Electronic Communications Policy

CCD has adopted a policy to guide usage of all forms of electronic communication, including e-mail, Internet services, voice mail, audio and video conferencing, and fax messages that are sent or received by faculty, staff, students, and other authorized users of CCD resources.

In general, CCD provides various forms of electronic communication for teaching, learning and college operations. All records created through the electronic communication equipment CCD provides are the property of the college. People who are authorized to use e-mail and voice mail provided by CCD may make personal use of those media as long as there is no direct cost to the college.

All electronic communication at CCD must meet the standards of conduct, laws, and regulations published in such official CCD, state and federal documents as the CCD catalog, CCD Student Code of Conduct, any CCD faculty handbook and the Colorado State Employees Handbook.

CCD electronic communications may not be used for commercial purposes; to send copies of documents in violation of copyright laws; to transmit information that is restricted by laws or regulations; to intimidate, threaten, or harass other individuals, or to interfere with the ability of others to conduct CCD business; forge communication so it appears to be from someone else; to get unauthorized access to data, files or other communication; to breach security measures to access electronically stored information in any way; sending chain letters or jokes of any nature.

For information about CCD student e-mail accounts please review the Student E-mail policy in the CCD Catalog. For more information or directions on how to activate your student e-mail visit CCD.edu/Quick-Guides. CCD requires that all students learn to use e-mail as it is the official means of communication between the college and students.

Family Education Rights & Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

CCD Notification of Rights Under FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. FERPA rights are afforded to students at the time of admission. These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day Community College of Denver receives a request for access. A student should submit to the Admissions, Registration, and Records Office a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The Registrar 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 Registrar, they shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights. A student who wishes to ask Community College of Denver to amend a record should write the Registrar who will notify the college official responsible for the record, clearly identify 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 using the Student Grievance Procedure SP 4-31. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to provide written consent before Community College of Denver discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to college officials with legitimate educational interests. A college official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the College has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using college employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the College Board; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. Community College of Denver has designated the National Student Clearinghouse, the Auraria Police Department, and the Health Center at Auraria as college officials. Community College of Denver has also designated Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC), Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver), and University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) as college officials for students taking developmental courses through these institutions, automatic admissions, inter-institutional registration, and physical education courses. A college official (including CCD advisors representing NSLS, PTK and other honorary or leadership programs) has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the College. Upon request, the College discloses education records, without a student's consent, to officials of another school, in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or after enrollment.

The college may share education records with parents in the following circumstances: for a student who is dependent under I.R.S. tax code; a student under 21 years old who has violated a law or the school’s rules or policies governing alcohol or substance abuse; and when the information is needed to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals in an emergency.

FERPA Annual Notice to Reflect Possible Federal & State Data Collection and Use

As of January 3, 2012, the U.S. Department of Education's FERPA regulations expand the circumstances under which your education records and personally identifiable information (PII) contained in such records — including your Social Security Number, grades, or other private information — may be accessed without your consent. First, the U.S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or state and local education authorities ("Federal and State Authorities") may allow access to your records and PII without your consent to any third party designated by a Federal or State Authority to evaluate a federal- or state-supported education program. The evaluation may relate to any program that is "principally engaged in the provision of education," such as early childhood education and job training, as well as any program that is administered by an education agency or institution. Second, Federal and State Authorities may allow access to your education records and PII without your consent to researchers performing certain types of studies, in certain cases even when we object to or do not request such research. Federal and State Authorities must obtain certain use-restriction and data security promises from the entities that they authorize to receive your PII, but the Authorities need not maintain direct control over such entities. In addition, in connection with Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems, State Authorities may collect, compile, permanently retain, and share without your consent PII from your education records, and they may track your participation in education and other programs by linking such PII to other personal information about you that they obtain from other Federal or State data sources, including workforce development, unemployment insurance, child welfare, juvenile justice, military service, and migrant student records systems.

The Colorado Community College System considers the following to be directory information and Community College of Denver staff may disclose this information, without prior consent, to anyone inquiring in person, by phone, or in writing: student name; major field of study; dates of student attendance; degrees/certificates and awards student has earned; most recent educational institution attended by the student; enrollment status (Full time, part time, etc.); participation in officially recognized activities and sports; and if participating in an officially recognized activity or sport, height, weight, and high school attended.

Addresses (including mail and e-mail) are considered PII and are not released as directory information except for the following:

• Graduation lists released to news media, which may include the student's city of residence
• Other listings to the news media and college personnel for special awards, honors, and events

Additionally, name, address, phone number, date and place of birth, level of education, most recently attended college, field of study, and degree(s) received of students may be released to military recruiters upon request in accordance with the Solomon Amendment. All other information contained in student records is considered private and not open to the public without the student’s written consent. Students who do not want their directory/public information released to third parties or students who do not want to be listed in the college online e-directory should complete a form to suppress directory information available online or at the Office of Admissions, Records and Registration by the first day of the semester.

Upon request, the college discloses education records, without a student’s consent, to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by CCD to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5901

Fair & Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA)

FACTA Notification to Students

In accordance with the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) of 2003, CCD adheres to the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Red Flag Rule (A Red Flag is any pattern, practice, or specific activity that indicates the possible existence of identity theft.), which implements Section 114 of the FACTA and to the Colorado Community College System’s Identity Theft Prevention and Detection Program, which is intended to prevent, detect and mitigate identity theft in connection with establishing new covered accounts or an existing covered account held by the Colorado Community College System (System or CCCS) or one of its thirteen (13) community colleges, and to provide for continued administration of the Program. If a transaction is deemed fraudulent, appropriate action will occur. Action may include, but is not limited to, canceling of the transaction, notifying and cooperating with law enforcement, reporting to the Student Code of Conduct Office, and notifying the affected parties. For more information on FACTA, Red Flag Rules, and Identity Theft Consumer Information, please see the links provided below.

Federal Trade Commission Statute | www.FTC.gov/os/statutes/fcradoc.pdf

Red Flag Rules | www.FTC.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/redflagsrule/index.shtml

Consumer: FTC - Identity Theft Information | www.Consumer.FTC.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft

Law Enforcement at CCD

Auraria Campus

To report a crime on campus, use one of the emergency telephones located in every classroom building for immediate, direct access. Blue Light emergency telephones located in most parking lots on campus also provide immediate, direct access. Call 911 from any campus phone for emergencies or dial 6.5000 for other police assistance. From off-campus telephones, payphones, or cell phones call 303.556.5000.

The Auraria Police Department employs certified police officers who receive their police authority via the provisions of the Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 24, Article 7, Part 1. The Auraria Police Department is authorized to enforce campus rules and regulations as well as Municipal Codes, State Laws and Federal Statutes.

Crimes should be reported to the Auraria Police Department immediately. The department’s services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Priority is given to reports of incidents that threaten the life or safety of people, the security of property, and the peace of the community. Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-8-115, "Duty to Report a Crime," require all persons who believe a crime has been committed to report the suspected crime promptly to law enforcement authorities.

Victims of stalkers or persons with restraining orders against another party are strongly encouraged to notify the Auraria Police Department of the threat and to provide the Auraria Police Department with a copy of the restraining order so that police officers have the information on hand.

The Auraria Police Department has the primary responsibility to coordinate locking and unlocking of most campus buildings. Campus Police work closely with Facilities Management to maintain building security and key control. Access to facilities after normal building hours is limited and coordinated with Campus Police. The Auraria Police Department, located in the Administration Building, patrols the Auraria Higher Education Center 24 hours a day. A satellite Auraria Police Department office is located in the Tivoli Student Union.

Center for Health Sciences at Lowry

The Center for Health Sciences at Lowry is monitored by Lowry Campus Security 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Lowry Campus Security personnel are not certified police officers but can make arrests. The Denver Police and Aurora Police departments are the official law enforcement agencies for the Lowry Campus. Both patrol the Lowry Campus frequently. The Center for Health Sciences at Lowry is divided between the City of Denver and the City of Aurora. Different cities have jurisdiction depending on the building where an incident occurs.

Anyone who is a victim of a crime, witnesses a crime, or needs the fire department, law enforcement, or an ambulance while at the Lowry Campus, should contact the Denver metro-area emergency response system by dialing 911 or 303.892.9111 from any telephone, including pay phones. Blue Light emergency telephones are also available in most parking lots on the Lowry Campus.

For non-emergency crimes, contact Aurora Police at 303.627.3100 or Denver Police at 303.913.2000.

In addition, report all crimes and other emergencies to Lowry Campus Security at 303.419.5557 after calling 911. The Director of Lowry Security can be reached at 720.858.2733.

The buildings for the Center for Health Sciences at Lowry are open during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Classroom buildings are open at 7 a.m. and locked as scheduled activities end, which may be as late as 11 p.m. Contact Lowry Campus Security at 303.419.5557 with questions on building access and after hours maintenance.

Advanced Manufacturing Center

The property is monitored during regular business hours by Advanced Manufacturing Center maintenance staff. College personnel are not certified police officers and cannot make arrests or other legal decisions. The Denver Police Department is the official law enforcement agency for the Advanced Manufacturing Center location.

Anyone who is a victim of a crime, a witness to a crime, or needs the fire department, law enforcement, or an ambulance while at the Advanced Manufacturing Center, should contact the Denver Police Department by calling 911 from any telephone, including pay phones. Report crimes and other emergencies immediately to the nearest Advanced Manufacturing Center faculty, staff, or administrator.

For non-emergency crimes, contact the Adams County Sheriff’s Department at 720.913.2000.

The Advanced Manufacturing Center's maintenance staff has the primary responsibility for opening and closing the location. Buildings are generally open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the Advanced Manufacturing Center after regular business hours is limited and coordinated with the location director and the maintenance department or as arranged by individual instructors.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex / gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion, or sexual orientation in its employment practices and educational programs and activities. Individuals with limited English proficiency interested in career and technical education programs will be assessed and offered options to support their participation in CCD programs. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or discrimination complaints:

Online Complaint Form: CCD.edu/Report-Discrimination

Notificación de Non Discriminación

El Community College of Denver (CCD por sus siglas en ingles), no discrimina por motivos sexo/género, de raza, color, credo, edad, origen nacional o étnico, religión, militar en servicio activo y/o pasivo, embarazo, o personas con discapacidad física o mental, o orientación sexual, especificada en su política de empleo, o en su programa de educación, y/o en otras actividades. Personas con conocimientos limitados de inglés interesadas en programas de educación profesional y/o técnicas, serán evaluadas y se les ofrecerá opciones para apoyar su participación en los programas educativos de CCD. La siguiente persona ha sido designada para manejar las preguntas con respecto a las políticas de no discriminación o denuncias de discriminación:

Directora de Recursos Humanos, Coordinadora del Título IX, Título VII/Oportunidad de Igualdad (EO por sus siglas en ingles), y ADA/Sec 504
Administration Building, Oficina 310
Campus Box 240 | P.O. Box 173363
Denver, CO 80217-3363
Teléfono: 303.352.3310
Formulario en línea de quejas: CCD.edu/Report-Discrimination

Status of Campus Safety

Timely notifications are made to the campus community on crimes that are reported to Auraria Campus Police or local police and may be considered a threat to other students or employees. These notifications are made using one or a combination of the following methods:

• news releases;
• crime advisories;
• making reports available to the media through campus newspaper, radio, and television;
• advertising in campus publications; and
• distributing the above information to campus employees.

The Clery Act requires higher education institutions to give timely warnings of crimes that represent a threat to the safety of students or employees, and to make public their campus security policies.  It also requires that crime data is collected, reported, and disseminated to the campus community and also submitted to the Department of Education. The act is intended to provide students and their families with accurate, complete, and timely information about safety on campus so they can make informed decisions.

CCD Campus Security and Safety Report | www.AHEC.edu/for-campus-faculty-staff/auraria-campus-police-department

Student Email

CCD provides free student email accounts. CCD email accounts are the only official means of communication between students and the college. CCD expects that students sign in and check their college-issued email account on a frequent and consistent basis as students are responsible for all information sent to them via their system-assigned email account. Student email accounts will remain active throughout students' college experience at any CCCS institution.

The use of student email is a privilege, not a right; and the System maintains the right to limit access. Email is subject to disclosure to third parties through subpoena or other processes. Refer to the Electronic Communications Policy for more information.

Student Complaint Process (CCD.edu/complaints)

This Student Complaint Process is intended to give students an opportunity to present an issue that they feel warrants action, including the right to secure educational benefits and services without regard to sex, race, national origin or ancestry, creed, color, sexual orientation, disability, or age and have the issue considered in a prompt and equitable fashion.

Definitions

Senior Student Services Officer (SSSO): The college employee designated by the college president to administer student grievances. Grievances alleging discrimination may be referred to:

Executive Director of Human Resources
Campus Box 240
P.O. Box 173363
Denver, CO, 80217
Administration Building, Room 310
303-352-3310 

Grievance: A grievable offense is any alleged action that violates or inequitably applies written college policies or procedures. The Grievant must be personally affected by such violation or inequitable action. A grievance must be brought to the formal stage within 20 calendar days of the date the student knew or reasonably should have known about the action.

Grievant: Enrolled student, client or volunteer who is providing a service to benefit the college under the supervision and control of a college employee. A client or volunteer may only grieve a decision that bans him or her from the campus.

Non-grievable matters: The following matters are not grievable under this procedure except as noted: matters over which the college is without authority to act; grades and other academic decisions unless there is an allegation that the decision was motivated by illegal discrimination; and disciplinary actions taken pursuant to State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE) policy.

Remedy: The relief that the Grievant is requesting.

Respondent(s): Another student, volunteer, client, faculty member and/or administrator identified by the Grievant as causing or contributing to the grievance.

Procedures

1. Informal. Grievant is encouraged to resolve the issue with the Respondent or his/her supervisor. In case of grievances based upon one’s race, color, creed, national origin or ancestry, disability, age or gender, the Grievant may first contact the college employee responsible for affirmative action to seek informal resolution of the issues. If the complaint alleges facts that might constitute a violation of the Colorado Community College System President’s Procedures concerning sexual harassment, the administrator shall investigate and process the complaint under the procedure. While the Grievant is encouraged to use the informal process, he/she may at any time elect to go to the formal stage by following the process outlined below.
2. Formal.
   1. Grievant, in a timely manner, files a written statement of the actions complained of and describes the remedy he/she is seeking with the Senior Student Services Officer (SSSO). A matter also could be referred to the process by the College president or his/her designee. Once a written grievance is filed or referred, the SSSO or designee will determine whether or not the situation states a grievable offense. The matter will be closed if the situation is determined not grievable and the Grievant will be notified of the reasons.
   2. If the matter is determined to be grievable, the SSSO or designee (which may be an individual or a committee) shall hear the Grievance. A hearing will be held to give the Grievant, Respondent, and other interested parties invited to appear, the opportunity to explain what they know about the issues surrounding the grievance. Considering the oral and written statements and documents, the SSSO or designee shall issue a decision within 10 calendar days of close of the hearing. The decision shall be served upon the Grievant and the Respondent personally or by certified mail to the addresses on file in the Admissions, Registration and Records office. The decisions shall reject the grievance or grant the grievance and make recommendation(s) to resolve the issue(s). The SSSO or designee’s decision is final unless either party files a Petition for Review with the college president within five (5) calendar days of service of the decision.
   3. Upon receipt of a Petition for Review, the college president will review the record and issue a written decision within 10 calendar days of receipt of the Petition for Review. The president’s decision is final.
   4. The SSSO or designee may extend the scheduling timelines described above for good cause.
   5. If the grievance is against the SSSO, the Chief Academic Officer/Provost or other person designated by the president shall perform the duties of the SSSO.

Informal Grievance Procedure

This informal grievance procedure must be initiated as soon as possible after the Grievant knows of the matter that gives rise to the grievance.

1. The Grievant shall discuss and attempt to resolve the problem with the Respondent(s). The Grievant shall keep all records relevant to the alleged grievance.
2. If the problem is not mutually resolved at this time, the Grievant shall confer and attempt to resolve the problem with the immediate supervisor(s) and/or the administrator of the respondent(s).
3. If satisfactory resolution is still not achieved, the Grievant must confer and attempt to resolve the problem with the SSSO or designee. Matters involving grade changes or academic appeals should follow the grade appeal process.

Formal Grievance Procedure

1. If the grievance is not resolved by the Informal Grievance Procedure or if the student wishes to bypass that course of action and is not limited to a change of grade, the student has the right to file a written grievance with the SSSO. The filing must occur within 20 calendar days of the date the student knew or reasonably should have known about the action. This written allegation should document all steps taken to resolve the complaint. If the SSSO determines that the allegation is grievable, a copy of the written grievance must be mailed or hand-delivered to the Respondent(s) by the SSSO within five (5) working days of the filing of the formal grievance.
2. Upon receipt of the notice of a grievable offense, the SSSO will establish a Grievance Committee within 10 working days. The time may be increased if the notice is given during a school break or during a semester change. The SSSO is responsible for keeping all records pertaining to grievances. If the grievance is against the SSSO, the Chief Academic Officer or other person designated by the president shall perform the duties of the SSSO.
3. If the matter is determined to be grievable, the SSSO or designee shall hear the Grievance.
4. The SSSO or designee (which may be an individual or committee) will convene the hearing, set the date of the meeting and notify all involved persons. If a committee is convened, the SSSO will be responsible for informing the Grievance Committee of its role and responsibilities. A record of the proceedings and recommendations will be made and retained by the SSSO.
5. All hearings will be closed unless both the grievant and respondent agree in writing to an open hearing. At the request of the Grievant or respondent, interested parties may be included subject to the approval of the SSSO. In the case of sexual harassment grievances, the procedure will assure confidentiality to the extent possible for Grievant and witnesses.
6. If either the Grievant or Respondent fails to appear at the hearing, the committee may proceed and determine its resolution of the problem in the person’s absence.
7. The Grievance Committee’s decision will be based on the greater relevant evidence.
8. The Committee will deliver a copy of its recommendation to the SSSO within three (3) working days following the conclusion of the hearing.
9. The SSSO will render a decision regarding the recommendation within 10 working days, and both parties must be notified in writing of the decision.
10. The Grievant may withdraw the grievance in writing at any point in the proceedings.
11. The SSSO may grant an extension of the time limits for reasonable cause. This extension must be documented and is not automatic. The decision to grant an extension must be written and communicated to all concerned parties.
12. Within five (5) working days of the committee’s decision, either party may file a petition for review with the college president. The president’s decision is final.
13. This policy is being implemented in accordance with the SBCCOE policy and the due process.

In the event that two individuals or groups of individuals from different Auraria Campus institutions are involved in a grievance, the procedures normally followed by the institution whose constituent is being charged with the grievance would apply. The SSSO from the other institution involved will be informed of the filing of the grievance and the outcome of the grievance procedure.

Voter Registration Information

Community College of Denver supports the National Voter Registration Act by providing students access to voter registration information. The State of Colorado - Voter Registration Application Form is available at www.Elections.Colorado.gov or at the local County Clerk and Recorder's office. Students with disabilities can access the Voter Registration Application in the Accessibility Center.