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Student Rights and Responsibilities

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The campuses comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which protects United States citizens who possess physical or mental disabilities. The centers also comply with Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1973 which states that “no otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States shall, solely by reason of his/her handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with documented special needs.

Counseling Services

Orange Technical College has partnered with a private and confidential counseling service to assist students who need to resolve any mental health concerns. Assistance can be provided for such personal issues as anxiety, depression, interpersonal relationships, stress, grief, self-esteem and more. Students should contact Advanced Psychiatric Solutions at 407-730-3837 to speak to a professional counselor. For more information, please click on the following link: https://youtu.be/4D9Zc7LxdX0 or visit http://www.adpsychsolutions.com.

Disability Services

As Equal Access/Equal Opportunity institutions, campuses assure students with disabilities equal access to all programs, activities and services, as described in Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Specialized services and counseling are provided by trained staff in the Student Services Department or Office of Admissions.

Course content will be made available in an accessible format upon request for students with a documented disability. Students should consult with their counselor at the beginning of the term if they need this service. Additional information regarding policies, procedures, rules, regulations and guidelines is provided in the Orange Technical College Catalog.

Due Process Procedure

A campus dean or administrator must inform the student of school rules that have been violated. A student has the right to present evidence or witnesses concerning violation, and the student must:

  1. Have knowledge of the charge or complaint being made against him/her,
  2. Have a description of the specific charges,
  3. Be given and have the opportunity to present evidence and/or witnesses on their own behalf at the time of the hearing,
  4. Have had prior knowledge that their actions were in violation of established rules and regulations, and
  5. Be advised that they have to go to the next higher authority if not satisfied with the action or decision rendered at the initial hearing.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The procedures for protecting the confidentiality of student records are based on the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. FERPA provides the right for individuals to initiate withholding the release of student directory information. Detailed information may be requested from an admissions counselor. Orange County Public Schools policies regarding student records are in accordance with these regulations.

Grievance Procedure

A student is encouraged to resolve an issue at the lowest level. If there is no resolution, the student may present the concern to a counselor or dean. If a satisfactory solution is not reached, then the issue is regarded as a grievance. A student must follow these steps to process a grievance:

  1. The student must submit the grievance in writing to a campus administrator.
  2. Within five school days, a campus administrator will meet with the student. The student will be afforded the opportunity to state his/her view and to present evidence or witnesses. A decision will be made.
  3. Within five school days of the initial meeting, a student may submit a written appeal regarding the outcome of that meeting to the Senior Director. The senior director will schedule a meeting with the student within two weeks. A decision will be made.
  4. If the student is not satisfied with the decision, he/she may further appeal in writing to the Associate Superintendent or designee who will convene an impartial board to review the grievance and render a final decision.
  5. If the grievance is not settled to the student’s satisfaction at the local level the student may contact The Council on Occupational Education, 7840 Roswell Road, Suite 325, Atlanta, GA 30350, Telephone 770-396-3898, Web Address council.org
  6. If the grievance is related to the State and not settled to the student’s satisfaction at the local level the student may send a letter to: Commission for Independent Education 325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL. 32399-0400, or e-mail: [email protected] or fax: 850-245-3238.

Senate Bill 524 – Sexually Violent Predators

Senate Bill 524 requires each Florida College System institution, state university and career center to inform students and employees at orientation of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement sexual predator and sexual offender registry website and toll-free telephone number. This information must also be available on the institution's website.

The website can be located at https://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/

The toll-free telephone number is 1-888-357-7332.

Student Procedures for Reporting Alleged Cases of Discrimination and/or Sexual, Racial, Religious or National Origin Harassment

Harassment of any kind (sexual, racial, religious or national origin) – whether it is a staff member harassing a student, a student harassing a staff member, or students harassing other students – is illegal and will not be tolerated. If you feel you are being harassed, contact a campus administrator.

Student Right to Know – The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act

Each technical college campus discloses campus security policies and reports specific crime statistics to faculty, staff and students in accordance with provisions of the law. Reports are available online at orangete.ch/campus-safety.

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