What Are My Rights and Responsibilities As a Student?
The Accessibility Center for Education (ACE) provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at Golden West College (GWC). A variety of programs and services are available, which allow eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations.
Student Rights
1. I have the right to receive services and reasonable accommodations based on my disability-related educational limitations according to Section 504, Section 508, ADA, and Title 5 Guidelines.
2. I have the right to receive confidential treatment of my disability-related information.
3. I understand that the ACE office may release information to professionals who have an educational need to know under the Family Education Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA).
4. I have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
5. My participation in the ACE program shall be entirely voluntary.
6. Participating in the ACE program does not preclude me from participating in any other course, program, or activity offered by the College.
7. I have the right to appeal decisions made by the ACE office.
8. I have the right to contact the ACE office immediately in cases where a grievance is related to an academic accommodation. Student grievance procedures may be found in the College Catalog or http://www.goldenwestcollege.edu/admissions/grievance.html
Student Responsibilities
1. I will provide ACE with the necessary documentation to verify my disability(ies).
2. I agree to meet with an ACE counselor at least once a year to update the Student Educational Contract (SEC).
3. I must demonstrate measurable progress toward the goals established in the Student Educational Contract (SEC). For the regular college courses in which I am enrolled, I must meet Golden West College’s academic standards.
4. I permit ACE to monitor my academic progress.
5. I will maintain behavior appropriate to an educational setting and am subject to the Golden West College Student Code of Conduct. http://www.goldenwestcollege.edu/admissions/codeofconduct.html
6. I will request and use approved ACE accommodations in a timely and responsible manner. I understand that ACE uses written service provision policies and procedures that must be adhered to for continuation of services.
7. For all ACE services that I use, I will notify ACE of any planned absences from class or appointments. Cancellations should be received at least 24 hours in advance. Two unnotified absences may result in the suspension of that ACE service.
8. At the completion of each semester, I am responsible for the return of any equipment borrowed from ACE. If I do not return the equipment or return it damaged, I am responsible for the replacement costs. I understand that outstanding debts to the College may prevent me from registering for the subsequent semester.
9. I will treat every ACE employee with dignity and respect.
10. I will regularly check my MyGWC email for important information from ACE and GWC.
Coast Community College District uses the information requested on this form for the purpose of determining a student's eligibility to receive authorized special services provided by the Accessibility Center for Education (ACE). Personal information recorded on this form will be kept confidential in order to protect against unauthorized disclosure. Portions of this information may be shared with the Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges or other state or federal agencies; however, disclosure to these parties is made in strict accordance with applicable statutes regarding confidentiality, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g). Pursuant to Section 7 of the Federal Privacy Act (Public Law 93-579; 5 U.S.C. § 552a, note), providing your social security number is voluntary. The information on this form is being collected pursuant to California Education Code Sections 67310-67312, and 84850; and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 56000 et seq.
SPECIFIC ACE SERVICES GUIDELINES
Students are eligible for the services of the Accessibility Center for Education (ACE) program at Golden West College with the following provisions:
1. Current enrollment as a Golden West College student
2. Application for ACE Services
3. Disability Verification
4. Contact with an ACE counselor at least once a year to:
Update the Student Educational Contract (SEC)
Discuss appropriate support services and accommodations
Retain priority registration status
Certain services (e.g., testing accommodations, converting material into alternate formats, equipment/material loan, and interpreting services) have additional conditions by which the student must abide. Students need to contact the ACE office every semester in which the accommodation is needed. Early requests for accommodations are encouraged. Late requests for accommodations may result in delays due to availability. Regular contact with the ACE program throughout the semester will increase the student’s chances of success in classes.
SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF ACE SERVICES
There are two ways that eligible students may be denied services through ACE:
1. Lack of measurable progress
2. Inappropriate use of services
Lack of Measureable Progress
Lack of measurable progress may be defined in any of the following ways and may result in a complete loss of ACE services:
1. Failure to meet Golden West College’s academic standards
2. Failure to make progress toward the goals outlined in the Student Educational Contract (SEC) for two consecutive terms
Inappropriate Use of Services
Inappropriate use of services is defined as failure to comply with the Golden West College Student Code of Conduct (Board Policy 3902) and/or failure to comply with the policies and procedures of individual services that the student is using. Failure to comply with the terms stated within each specific service area may result in the suspension of that service.
1. Only services that have been used inappropriately may be terminated in the middle of a semester.
2. Prior to the termination of a service, the student will be notified in writing that unless he/she meets with an ACE counselor/director to discuss the area of concern, the service will be automatically terminated fourteen (14) academic days from the date of the letter.
3. At the time of the meeting with the ACE counselor, the student will need to sign the Contract to Continue/Resume ACE Services, which outlines the guidelines for continuing services.
4. Suspended services may be reinstated during the current semester only on the authorization of an ACE counselor/director and only if there are extenuating circumstances which warrant the reinstatement of the service.
5. Reinstatement of services for subsequent semesters will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF ACE
Title 5 Section 56010(b) of the California Code of Regulations indicate that a district may adopt a written policy providing for the suspension or termination of ACE services when a student fails to comply with responsible use of ACE services, service provision policies, and measurable progress policies. Such policies shall provide for written notice to the student prior to suspension or termination and shall afford the student an opportunity to appeal the decision. Each student shall be given a copy of this policy upon first applying for services from ACE.