Policies

Title IX

Cochise College prohibits any discrimination as defined by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to include, but not limited to, gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and sexual violence towards its employees and students by supervisors, other employees and students, and the general public. Behaviors considered to be sexual harassment include the following: sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and/or unwelcome physical touching, verbal insults and/or sexually explicit suggestions or rumors designed to cause emotional distress, interfere with an individual’s work or study performance, or create an intimidating, hostile and/or offensive work or educational environment. Such acts can interfere with a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the college’s academic and non-academic programs, an employee’s ability to function in the workplace, or a campus visitor’s ability to utilize the college. Accordingly, these behaviors are strictly prohibited. 

Cochise College Administrative Policy 1029 Title IX and Sexual Harassment Compliance describes the college’s policy and procedures in detail. In an effort to ensure broad scale awareness of students’ rights and responsibilities under Title IX Compliance, the college conducts training for students, required to be taken within the first six months following initial registration. Failure to complete the required training shall result in the student being unable to register for classes following the six-month period until the training has been completed.

As required by Title IX, Cochise College does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs or activities, including in admission and employment.  Questions concerning the application of Title IX or the college’s policies may be directed to the Director of Compliance/Title IX Coordinator, 901 North Colombo, Student Union, Room 1055, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635, titleix@cochise.edu, (520) 452-2683 or to the U.S. Department of Education, Assistant Secretary, or both.

Campus Crime Report

According to federal statute and regulations, colleges and universities are required to prepare and distribute each year an annual security report. The Campus SaVE Act details those reporting requirements. Within the report, colleges must set forth their policies on crime prevention and sex offenses and give statistics on the number of crimes reported on campus. Other reported crimes include the number of arrests for liquor law and drug violations and weapons possessions. The crime report is updated each September; the drug and alcohol-free workplace report is updated each April. The reports may be reviewed at www.cochise.edu/securityemergency.

Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA, 1994), colleges are required to provide “primary prevention and awareness programs” for all incoming students, as well as ongoing prevention and awareness campaigns. Information about Cochise College’s prevention and awareness programs can be obtained by contacting the Title IX Coordinator or the Executive Dean of Student Services.  

Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace

Cochise College is committed to the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse, recognizing that the abuse of alcohol or other drugs poses serious risks to a person's health. Cochise College conforms with and supports all federal, state, and local laws, and regulations that prohibit the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of alcohol or any prohibited or controlled substance at any college location.

Students registered at Cochise College assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the college's function as an educational institution and are expected to exercise personal responsibility and make informed choices concerning the use and misuse of alcohol and illicit drugs.

Cochise College will impose disciplinary sanctions that include, but are not limited to, verbal or written reprimands, disciplinary probation, removal from classes, suspension, expulsion, or possible referral to local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies, for any unlawful on-campus manufacture, distribution, use, or possession of alcohol or any prohibited controlled substance.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any building or classroom at Cochise College. Designated smoking areas may be used outside of buildings on each campus and at each center. Information on designated smoking areas can be obtained from campus security or the dean of Student Services.

Teach-Out Process for a Deleted Program

Almost any deleted program will have some students that are still in some stage of active pursuit of the program credential. These students must be offered an opportunity to complete the credential. This requires the submission of a good faith teach-out plan for any deleted program. This plan will need to be submitted to the Higher Learning Commission and any other accreditation bodies. This plan should include the following elements:

• reasonable timeline for the anticipated closure
• process to equitably obtain individual student's interest and intent regarding completion options
• method(s) for notifying students of the upcoming closure including reasons for the discontinuance of the program
• plan for ensuring course offerings priced at the current tuition schedule to enable student completion will be provided
• process for advising students on the best path for each individual student's completion
• timeline for removal of the program from college publications, accreditation listings and department of education approval lists

The college may choose to offer students a teach-out plan that involves an agreement with another institution that will teach-out the students.

Responsibilities of Students Involved in a Teach-Out 

1. The college will assist students desiring to transfer to another institution. Once a student has transferred, they will no longer be involved in the teach-out.
2. Students who fall out of sequence in the program as a result of course failure may retake the course only if it continues to be offered at the college. The student may seek approval from the relevant dean to establish a substitution course or an equivalent from another institution.
3. Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress and are dismissed from the program will lose their right to be involved in the teach-out.
4. Students are expected to take courses as they are offered according to the teach-out plan. Failure of students to take required courses when offered does not obligate the college to offer the courses again.

Veterans Administration Compliance

Cochise College is committed to complying with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, and satisfying Title 38 US Code, Section 3679(e) School Compliance.

Procedure: 4019.1 Completion of 3679(e) School Compliance Form

The College president or designee shall complete the required forms, attesting compliance with the requirements of Title 38 United States Code, Section 3679(e). This policy will appear in the official College catalog.

Procedure: 4019.2 Covered Individuals

A covered individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits.

Procedure: 4019.3 Compliance Protecting Covered Individuals

The College shall not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of funding from the Veteran’s Affairs (VA) under chapter 31 or 33. Any covered individual who participates in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 and 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of VA website – eBenefits, or VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates: 1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution 2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility AdCab Approved 06/26/19