Policy and Process Statements for Students

ECARS "Pursuit of Class" Definition:

Attendance is defined as any action on the part of the student (after registration) that demonstrates pursuit of class. As defined by Academic Services at Kalamazoo Valley Community College attendance is defined as TWO specific actions on the part of the student (after registration) that demonstrate pursuit of class. To be considered in attendance for E-CARS, a KVCC student must do BOTH of the following:

  1. Attend at least one class session during the E-CARS reporting period.
    • For web courses, the first requirement (attending one class session) is defined as logging into the course at least once and downloading the class assignment schedule.)
  2. Submit at least one assignment, quiz, or test as determined by the instructor.

ADA/Student Access:

The Office For Student Access is designed to meet the individual needs of students with physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities. The College has a long history of service to students with disabilities and is committed to removing barriers to help students not only reach their potential, but become academically competitive within their programs. To initiate services or for more information, please call: Voice: (269) 488-4397 - TTD: (269) 488-4358.

Student Support Services:

Through Academic Counseling, Career Counseling, Credit for Prior Learning, Transfer Assistance, Student Activities, Student Access, Life Resources, and an Advocacy Program, the Student Development Center (SDC) is a resource center which brings together campus services to help students achieve their professional and personal academic goals. We provide one-on-one assistance to students which lend the personal touch so the students may be successful and reach their objectives. For more information on how to obtain assistance from the SSC: https://www.kvcc.edu/services/successcenter/

Canvas Orientation:

Canvas is our learning management system (LMS), providing a platform for accessing class materials, assignments, exams, and more. Every student will be automatically enrolled in a Canvas orientation course called "Passport to Canvas." To gain access to course content, follow these steps:

State Authorization for Online Students:

Colleges and universities are required to comply with the distance education laws of each individual state. KVCC has joined the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) initiative and is authorized to enroll online students from all NC-SARA member states and U.S. territories. NC-SARA oversees distance education. It is a voluntary agreement among its member states and U.S. territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance-education courses and programs.
https://nc-sara.org/state-portal-entity-contacts

Acceptable Use Policy:

Cabinet Member Operating Policy: https://www.kvcc.edu/policies/acceptable-use/

Copyright Compliance:

Kalamazoo Valley Community College is committed to adhering to all applicable laws regarding intellectual property. All faculty, staff, and students are required to comply with Title 17 U.S. Code, the United States Copyright Act; the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998; and, the Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization (TEACH) Act of 2002.

Student Complaint Process:

Student Complaints

Kalamazoo Valley Community College desires to resolve student grievances, complaints and concerns in an expeditious, fair and amicable manner. Students attending KVCC who desire to resolve a grievance should follow the College's Student Grievance process covered in our Student Handbook.

Accreditation Complaints

As required by the Department of Education as of October 29, 2010 regulations (34 C.F.R. 668.43), the following information is provided for complaints that are unresolved after addressing them at the College as described above. The Higher Learning Commission will take complaints related to general practices that may affect accreditation. To get more specific information, contact the HLC at 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1411 or visit the Higher Learning Commission website: https://www.hlcommission.org/HLC-Institutions/complaints.html

Consumer Protection Complaints

If the unresolved complaint is a consumer protection issue, contact the Attorney General at the Consumer Protection Division, P.O. Box 30213, Lansing, MI 48909-7713 or visit the State of Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website: http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-61343_35395---,00.html

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs' Corporations, Security & Commercial Licensing Bureau is the agency designated to review complaints against institutions of higher education providing distance education. Complaints concerning MCCC’s distance education activities regulated by Michigan's Higher Education Authorization and Distance Education Reciprocal Exchange Act (2015 PA 45) may be directed to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau, P.O. Box 30018, Lansing, MI 48909 through the process described at https://www.michigan.gov/leo/-/media/Project/Websites/leo/Documents/WD/WD_PROGRAMS_SERVICES/PSS/Post-Secondary_Complaint_Instructions_FINAL_032020_685912_7-%2834%29.pdf?rev=d9354bf5247548a6bd9751a8aa4e178d

Students who do not reside in Michigan may contact the authority in their home state, which may be found on the website of the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.

If the unresolved complaint involves an active duty service member or veteran of the U.S. military, contact the Military OneSource Postsecondary Education Complaint System. https://www.militaryonesource.mil/education-employment/for-service-members/choosing-a-college/postsecondary-education-complaint-system

Kalamazoo Valley Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.