General Policies and Procedures

The college maintains a highly secured office network for administrative workspaces. However, we want you the student to be aware of open public networks that can pose threat using malicious malwares on unsecured networks. We strongly encourage you to change your security settings and password often. You will be receiving emails as well as SMS text messaging alerting a current to eminent threat.

With students spending more and more time online, it’s critical for you to take precautions to protect yourself from malicious software or users online. Web activities—from online banking or shopping or downloading torrents and updating social media accounts—can be more secure by following the college guidelines.

1. Don’t download free media. Trojan viruses can install software that can record your usernames and passwords.
2. Don’t store your payment information online. This area includes paying for your tuition.

Meridian West Central College uses a security certificate to encrypt the site web pages (HTTPS). This is to provide security in all activities on the school website. Finally, if you can’t get a VPN, make sure you are always secure when using public wireless internet to access your college account and coursework. We ask you to please be vigilant.

Student Emergency Notification Policy

At the time of admissions, students emergency contact is requested which is recorded in the student management software. During an emergency, students will be made aware of the situation through the following modes:

• Via SMS Text Message
• Via their school email
• Via their personal email addresses

Sexual Harassment Policy / Other Harassment

Meridian West Central College’s administration takes the issue of sexual harassment very seriously. Sexual harassment or harassment because of age, race, color, religion, national origin, or disability, will not be tolerated. Any forms of harassment are grounds for immediate expulsion. Students shall report any form of harassment to the college.

Copyright Infringement Policy and Sanctions

Copyright is a legal protection of intellectual property (copyrights, trademarks and patents), in whatever medium, that is provided for by the laws of the United States to the owners of copyrights. Copyright laws are not limited to only protect printed works, software, etc. It can subject the student to criminal and civil liabilities. In general, anyone found liable for civil damages or statutory damages at no less than $750, and no more than $30,000. However, a court may award up to $150,000 per infringement. A court can, in its discretion, can also assess cost and attorney fees. Criminal penalties can also apply, up to and including imprisonment for five years, and fines up to $250,000. Violations of this policy are subject to disciplinary action, probation, legal proceeding, suspension, up to/or including termination and expulsion. For details, see Title 17, Sections 504 and 505 of the United States Code.

Use of any Trademarks, images, names, photographs, videos, audio, DVD’s and advertising which are owned by Meridian West Central College is strictly prohibited for non-official use. This include the use of the College file sharing networks to download and share copyrighted works without permission from the college or receiving illegal copies or downloads or copyrighted work from a third party.

Any student who wishes to use any of the above-referenced Meridian West Central College material must request written permission from the administration of the College. Violations of this policy are subject to disciplinary action, probation, legal proceeding, suspension, up to and/or including termination and expulsion.

Americans with Disability Act

Meridian West Central College complies with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Section 504 requiring that no qualified handicapped person will be excluded by reason of handicap from enrolling in an online instruction course. Students wishing to avail themselves of special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act must disclose special needs. If you required special accommodation, especially during and at clinical due to a disability, you must contact the administrative Office of the College. We will make reasonable accommodations, but in order to do so we need from you relevant information regarding your disability and your suggestions for the reasonable accommodation. We require this information in writing before you enroll.

A student who feels they have not been treated fairly under Meridian West Central College’s stated federal policies has the right to file a written complaint. A complaint should be submitted to the Chief Executive Administrative Officer and/or the Dean of Nursing.

These procedures apply only to disability complaints received in writing

1. A complaint is submitted in person or by U.S. Certified mail. Complaints may not be submitted by email or fax.
2. Within 15 business days after acknowledging receipt of the handicapped policy complaint, the EAO or the Dean will inform the complainant regarding the institutional response to the written complaint.
3. Students have the right to file a grievance in the event they are not satisfied with the response.

Family Educational Rights / Privacy Act (FERPA)

Meridian West Central College complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) which is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students".

1. Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student’s education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies. Written requests may be submitted via email or certified mail to the Registrar.
   Note: The sender’s email address must match the email address that is on file for the student’s record. If the address does not match, the request will not be processed. Access will be provided to inspect the records within 45 days of the receipt of the written request.
   
2. Parents or eligible students have the right to request, in writing, that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s rights of privacy. The school will consider the request to amend the record within 21 days after receipt of the written request. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested, the parent or eligible student will be notified of the decision in writing and have the right to request a formal hearing. Within 21 days from the receipt of written request for a hearing, the school will schedule the hearing and provide notices of the date, time and place at least 7 days in advance of the hearing date. The hearing is closed to the public, but the parent or eligible student may be assisted or represented by one or more individuals of your own choice including an attorney at your own expense. The school will decide within 14 days of the hearing date. The parent or eligible student will receive a summary of the evidence and the reason for the decision. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information. The statement will be maintained as part of the student’s education record as long as the contested portion is maintained. If the contested portion of the education record is disclosed, the statement will be disclosed with it.
   
3. Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student’s education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):
   1. School officials with legitimate educational interest.
   2. Other schools to which a student is transferring.
   3. Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes.
   4. Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student.
   5. Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school.
   6. Accrediting organizations.
   7. To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.
   8. Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies.
   9. State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.
4. Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a PTA bulletin, student handbook, or newspaper article) is left to the discretion of each school.

Grievance Procedures

Meridian West Central College’s primary objective is to help its students meet their career goals. On occasion, a student may have concerns or problems that need to be addressed. The Institution has an open-door policy. A student may discuss their problems or concerns at any time with instructors, Directors or any staff member.

Students are encouraged to resolve issues through normal administrative means. All students have the right to procedural due process where he/she has notice and an opportunity to be heard. If the administration has taken disciplinary measures against a student or other administrative action relating to the student, the student may appeal the decision to the Grievance Committee within 45 days. A petition (form is available from the Dean of Nursing) for a grievance hearing must be made in writing and submitted to the Academic Dean. The grievance will then be scheduled before the committee. The Grievance Committee is a standing committee that meets once a term at the discretion of the Committee Members when there is a grievance to be heard. The voting members of the Grievance Committee consists of two (2) faculty members, two (2) staff members and one (1) student. The voting members of the committee should be non-biased participants. The Academic Dean is the facilitator/moderator of the grievance hearing and a non-voting member of the proceedings. The committee will receive the evidence, ask questions, review the catalog policies, deliberate and render an advisory ruling that is submitted to the Chief Executive Administrative Officer. The Administrative Officer has 14 business days either to accept the advisory ruling or override the decision of the Grievance Committee which will become binding upon the administration as well as the student who filed the grievance. If within 14 days the President fails to either accept or override the Grievance Committee’s decision, the decision of the Grievance Committee will become binding upon the administration as well as the student who filed the grievance.

If a student does not feel the College has adequately addressed a complaint or concern, the student may consider contacting the Commission for Independent Education at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400, toll-free telephone (888) 224-6684.

Student Disciplinary Procedures

If a student violates the college’s standards of conduct in the online classroom and/or clinical area, the faculty member is the first level of discipline. If further disciplinary action is required, the Dean of Nursing is responsible. If a violation occurs outside the classroom but on campus, the Director of Nursing and/or Academic Dean should be contacted immediately as the first level of discipline. The next level would be the President. If the student is dissatisfied with the disciplinary action imposed, the student has the right to go through the grievance process as outlined above.

Grounds for Dismissal and Termination

It is expected that students will conduct themselves in a professional manner and demonstrate respect for their instructors and fellow classmates. Meridian West Central College Administration reserves the right to terminate a student on any of the following grounds:

• Cheating, plagiarism, forgery, alteration or any other misuse of school document records of identification.
• Use or possession of alcoholic beverages or any other controlled substance (including without limitation, any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic substance or marijuana).
• Physical or verbal abuse of any person or group, or any conduct which intimidates, threatens, or endangers the health or safety of another.
• Assault, battery, or any threat of force or violence upon the school staff members, students, or visitors.
• Harassment, including but not limited to, the intimidation of another student or a school official or any other malicious act intended to substantially harm the physical or mental health of the person(s) threatened.
• Possession of any firearm, including but not limited to, any handgun, rifle, shotgun or props that resembles a firearm.
• Unauthorized possession or use of explosives, dangerous chemicals, or other materials.
• Suggestive or obscene letters, notes, invitations, derogatory comments, slurs, jokes, assaults, touching, impeding or blocking movement, leering, gestures, display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures.
• Destruction or defacing of school property.
• Intimidation or bullying of any instructor, administrator, student, or others by threat of force or violence.
• Extortion.
• Theft of, or damage to, the property of the school, school officials, students or visitors. Such actions may result in the imposition of fees for the loss, damage, or defacement of books and equipment.
• Fighting.
• Disruptive behavior, willful disobedience, profanity or vulgarity aimed towards defiance or abuse of school officials.
• Committing a criminal act as defined by law.
• Dressing in an inappropriate or disruptive manner.
• Disruptive behavior, including tardiness.
• Hazing or any acts of discrimination that injures, degrades or disgraces another person or group.
• Gambling.
• Arson.
• Unauthorized entry to the school or facilities.
• Unsatisfactory academic progress.
• Failure to pay fees when due. For those students using Deferred Payment Plans, please remember to pay according to the schedule you agreed to.
• Piracy of copyrighted materials/software.
• Breach of enrollment agreement.
• Not complying with Meridian West Central College’s rules and regulations.