The College must ensure that equal educational opportunities are offered to students regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, or persons with disabilities. Consistent with this commitment, the College assures that no person shall be excluded from or denied the benefits of any program or activity on the basis of sex, age, color, race, creed, religion, national or regional origin. Further, in facilitating this commitment, the College values educational opportunities for students to interact with positive staff role models from diverse racial, ethnic, and gender groups. In addition, no otherwise qualified persons with disabilities shall be excluded from or denied the benefits of any program or activity in a manner inconsistent with applicable Federal and State Statutes and Regulations. The College, through its policies and programs, has implemented programs that enhance and encourage educational opportunity for students.
- Adopted: November 10, 1994
- Revised: April 8, 1999
- Revised: November 10, 2011
Questions in Reference to Affirmative Action may be directed to:
Affirmative Action Officer
South Suburban College
15800 S. State Street
South Holland, IL 60473
708-596-2000, ext. 5719
South Suburban College embraces the concept of nondiscrimination in all areas of human and personnel relations. Equal opportunity in recruitment, in employment and in advancement is guaranteed for students, potential students, qualified handicapped persons, applicants for employment, and all college personnel regardless of race, color, religion, national or regional origin, age*, physical or mental disability, or unfavorable military discharge.
* Within areas covered by federal law or regulations.
South Suburban College is a participant in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide agreement that allows transfer of the completed Illinois transferable General Education Core Curriculum between participating institutions. Completion of the General Education Core Curriculum at any participating college or university in Illinois assures transferring students that lower-division general education requirements for an associate or bachelor’s degree have been satisfied. This agreement is in effect for students entering an associate or baccalaureate degree-granting institution as a first-time freshman in summer 1998 (and thereafter). See an academic adviser for additional information and/or read about the IAI at www.iTransfer.org.
In accordance with Title I of the Education Amendments of 1976, the US Department of Education, and the College makes available complete financial aid and other student consumer information through the Admissions Center and the Office of Financial Aid. For consumer information data, consult these offices.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 afford students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:
- The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the college receives a request for access.
- Students should submit to the Director of Admissions & Records, Dean, or other appropriate official, written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The college 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 college official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
- The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate or misleading.
Students may ask the college to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the college official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.If the college decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the college will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
- The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in 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 school officials with legitimate educational interest.A school 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 (such as an attorney; auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; 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. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. - The right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education concerning alleged failure by South Suburban College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
US Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605