THE GENERAL STUDIES PROGRAM

Philosophy of the General Studies Program

The Metropolitan State College of Denver seeks to prepare its graduates for a lifetime of learning, which, in our changing and complex society, requires focused expertise (such as that provided by a major area of study) and the ability to communicate with and learn from experts in other fields. Undergraduate education fosters the critical thinking necessary for the exploration of unfamiliar disciplines and for the synthesis of learning, and exposes students to the richness and variety of the intellectual universe.

General Studies Information

Students must use a single catalog to meet all degree requirements, including those in the General Studies, major and minor. Some changes in General Studies requirements have been made retroactive. As a consequence, many General Studies requirements and policies described in this Catalog may be followed by students using earlier catalogs.

General Studies Goals

The General Studies Program is designed to help graduates achieve the following competencies:

MSCD students should be able to:

MSCD students should:

Structure of the General Studies Program

The General Studies Program is structured to foster the development of skills and to encourage students to use their mastery of skills to explore knowledge in a variety of disciplines. The General Studies Program provides two levels of experience:

Level I-Skills

Level I courses provide students with the basic skills of reading and listening critically, recognizing faulty reasoning, drawing conclusions from quantitative data, organizing ideas, and writing and speaking with clarity.

Level II-Breadth of Knowledge

Level II courses introduce students to the basic methods, knowledge, problems or attitudes characteristic of a field, encourage in students an open attitude toward different approaches to problems, enable students to communicate with experts in other disciplines and learn from them, and cultivate in students an informed awareness of the principle achievements in history, arts and letters, social science, and science. In addition, in Level II courses students will continue to develop their skills in language and mathematics.

Distribution and Credit Requirements

To complete their General Studies Program, students must take approved courses that fulfill the following distribution and credit requirements:

*A transfer course or courses of at least 2 semester hours judged to be similar in skill development and content to a Level I course will satisfy an individual Level I course requirement. Equivalency will be determined by the department offering the Level I course.

**One-hour deviations in the Level II categories may be allowed.

***A student's completed General Studies Program must contain at least 33 semester hours.

Basic Rules:

Freshman Assessment: Reading, Writing and Mathematics Placement Exams

First-time college students are required to complete the reading, writing and mathematics placement examinations (see Assessment Requirements section). Examination results serve as the basis for academic advising. To increase their opportunity for success, students may be required to take courses below the level of the first-year courses offered by MSCD. Students should be aware, however, that no credit is given for courses that are below the college level.

Placement Test Prerequisites

Students must have a passing score on the appropriate placement test before they will be allowed to register for Level I General Studies courses in English, mathematics and reading. Exceptions will be made for students who have earned at least a grade of "C" in the community college course specified by the department. The Assessment Center administers the placement tests. Students should consult an advisor in the Advising Center for guidance in selecting the appropriate Level I courses.

COMPOSITION REQUIRED COURSES (minimum 6 semester hours)

MATHEMATICS (minimum 3 semester hours)*

*A transfer course or courses of at least 2 semester hours judged to be similar in skill development and content to a Level I course will satisfy an individual Level I course requirement. Equivalency is determined by the department offering the Level I course.

COMMUNICATIONS (minimum 3 semester hours)*

Students who have satisfied the communications requirement using the advanced foreign language course or the advanced public speaking course must place that course in the Level I communications requirement slot. Level IIGeneral Studies courses used to satisfy the Level I communications requirements cannot also be counted in the Level II category.

*A transfer course or courses of at least 2 semester hours judged to be similar in skill development and content to a Level I course will satisfy an individual Level I course requirement. Equivalency is determined by the department offering the Level I course.

LEVEL II REQUIREMENTS

Courses approved to satisfy the Level II requirement are distributed among four categories. The categories, together with the minimum number of semester hours a student must accumulate to satisfy this requirement, are given below. One-hour deviations in the General Studies Level II categories may be allowed, provided the student has completed at least 33 semester hours of General Studies courses.

Level II Categories

HISTORICAL (minimum 3 semester hours)*

Historical courses aim to impart a broad knowledge of history with emphasis upon the major forces, persons and events that have shaped the modern world.

The following courses may be used to satisfy the General Studies, Multicultural and Senior Experience requirements. However, other courses may have been approved for such use after the publication of this Catalog. For up-to-date information, contact the Advising Center.

History majors must take three extra semester hours at Level II in the Social Sciences, Arts & Letters, or Natural Science categories in lieu of the three hours in the Historical category. History majors may not use courses that are crosslisted with history courses for General Studies.

*A one-hour deviation in the General Studies historical requirement may be allowed, provided the student has comleted at least 33 semester hours of General Studies courses.

Please note: "mc" indicates that the course is also approved as a multicultural course.

ARTS & LETTERS (Minimum 6 semester hours)*

Arts & Letters courses impart a broad knowledge of important works and major schools of thought from at least two centuries. They also provide a foundation for critical evaluation within the discipline.

The following courses may be used to satisfy the General Studies, Multicultural and Senior Experience requirements. However, other courses may have been approved for such use after the publication of this Catalog. For up-to-date information, contact the Advising Center.

*A one-hour deviation in the General Studies arts and letters requirement may be allowed, provided the student has comleted at least 33 semester hours of General Studies courses.

Please note: "mc" indicates that the course is also approved as a multicultural course.

SOCIAL SCIENCES (Minimum 6 semester hours)*

Social Science courses aim to explore the formation, behavior and interaction of various social, cultural, political or economic groups and institutions.

The following courses may be used to satisfy the General Studies, Multicultural and Senior Experience requirements. However, other courses may have been approved for such use after the publication of this Catalog. For up-to-date information, contact the Advising Center.

*A one-hour deviation in the General Studies arts and letters requirement may be allowed, provided the student has comleted at least 33 semester hours of General Studies courses.

Please note: "mc" indicates that the course is also approved as a multicultural course.

NATURAL SCIENCE (Minimum 6 semester hours)*

Natural Science courses provide an opportunity for students to experience the systematic formulation and testing of hypotheses and to learn the importance of accurate observation and measurement. Students will differentiate among fact, speculation, evidence, inference, belief, theory, law and generalization.

The following courses may be used to satisfy the General Studies, Multicultural and Senior Experience requirements. However, other courses may have been approved for such use after the publication of this Catalog. For up-to-date information, contact the Advising Center.

*In order to receive General Studies credit, both BIO 1080 and 1090 must be successfully completed.

**Successful completion of CHE 1850 and either CHE 1800 or 1810 will result in 6 hours Natural Science General Studies credit. Successful completion of all three courses will result in 10 hours of General Studies credit. CHE 1800 is a prerequisite for CHE 1850. CHE 1850 has a corequisite of CHE 1810.

*A one-hour deviation in the General Studies natural science requirement may be allowed, provided the student has comleted at least 33 semester hours of General Studies courses.

Please note: "mc" indicates that the course is also approved as a multicultural course.

Additional Graduation Requirements

Multicultural and Senior Experience Course Requirements

In addition to completing the General Studies requirements, a student must complete a three-hour Multicultural course and a three-hour Senior Experience course, or selection of courses, to be awarded a bachelor's degree from MSCD. The Multicultural class does not require three hours as a separate category and can be taken in the major, minor or as an elective. The rules pertaining to those requiements and the courses that will satisfy those requirements are described below.

MULTICULTURAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENT (Minimum 3 semester hours)

Multicultural courses are designed to increase students' appreciation and awareness of the American culture and the diverse cultures which contribute to it. Multicultural educational offerings examine the interactions of values and beliefs, traditions, identities and cultural contributions of women and racial and ethnic groups in the United States: African American, Asian American, Hispanic American and Native American. Students may use the course to satisfy General Studies, major or minor requirements if the course is approved for that use. If the course is used for General Studies, the Level II General Studies restrictions remain in effect, e.g., no courses with the major prefix may be used.

A one-hour deviation in the Multicultural requirement will be allowed for courses judged to be similar in content to an existing Multicultural course. Equivalency will be determined by the department offering the Multicultural course.

*Variable course prefixes, e.g., ANT, ENG, HPL, HON, PSC, RDG, SOC, SPE, SWK, WMS.

SENIOR EXPERIENCE GRADUATION REQUIREMENT (minimum 3 semester hours)

The Senior Experience course provides a culmination of the undergraduate experience, allowing students to synthesize their learning, using critical analysis and logical thinking. Students may use the course to satisfy major or minor requirements if the course is approved for that use. Students should consult with their advisor and check prerequisites. Students must complete a Senior Experience course at the end of the undergraduate program and must take the course or courses at MSCD. Senior Experience courses have the following minimal prerequisites: satisfaction of all Level I and Level II General Studies course requirements and senior standing. In some cases students may need to take two courses to satisfy the requirement.

mc - This course will also satisfy the Multicultural requirement.

Assessment Examinations and Other Activities

In their senior year, students may be required to participate in an assessment of their general education. The faculty has determined educational goals or outcomes that it wants graduates to achieve. A copy of those goals and the methods by which their achievements are measured can be obtained from the department offices.

ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Semester Hours Credit

Course credit is based on units designed as semester hours. One semester hour or one base contact hour equals a minimum of 750 minutes; this translates to a minimum of 15, 50-minute class hours per semester. Time required for class preparation is not a consideration in the calculation of course credit. A three-credit hour course will require six to nine hours of work each week outside of class. Omnibus courses involving laboratory work give one semester hour of credit for each two, three or four hours of scheduled work in the laboratory during a week. Internships require a minimum of 2,250 minutes for each hour of credit.

Course Load

The average course load per 16-week semester is 15 or 16 semester hours. Students who are academically strong may take up to 18 semester hours during fall and spring semesters and up to 12 semester hours during the summer semester. During fall and spring semesters, students with cumulative MSCD grade point averages (GPAs) of 3.25 or higher may take 19 or 20 semester hours and those students with GPAs of 3.50 or higher may take 21 semester hours for fall and spring semester or 14 semester hours for the summer semester. Students must have completed at least 15 semester hours at MSCD. Authorization for overloads for students without these qualifications must be obtained from the student's major department chair and appropriate dean. Forms are available in the department or deans' offices.

Student Classification

Students are classified according to the number of semester hours of credit earned: freshmen fewer than 30; sophomores 30 or more, but fewer than 60; juniors 60 or more, but fewer than 90; seniors 90 or more.

Selection of Catalog for Requirements

Students must use a single MSCD catalog to meet all their degree requirements, including the General Studies, major and minor requirements. Students must select a Catalog in effect while they are enrolled
at MSCD unless they are transferring from a regionally accredited Colorado community college, provided that the Catalog contains their complete program of study. Students not enrolling for three consecutive semesters or more are governed by the Catalog in effect upon their return. For effective dates of Catalogs, students should consult their academic advisors. All degree programs must adhere to overriding current policies at MSCD.

Students transferring from a regionally accredited Colorado community college may complete degree requirements using an MSCD Catalog in effect while enrolled at the community college, subject to the following conditions:

*Continuous enrollment is defined as not interrupting enrollment for three or more consecutive semesters (one calendar year); summer is counted as a semester. Continuous enrollment must be maintained from the period of the designated MSCD Catalog to the point of MSCD degree completion.

Declaring a Major

Applicants to The Metropolitan State College of Denver may indicate their intended major on the MSCD Application for Admission. Non-degree-seeking students who wish to declare a major must first change to degree-seeking status by completing a Change of Status form with the Registrar's Office.

Changing a Major

Degree-seeking students who wish to change a major must complete a Declaration/Change of Major form, which is available from the major department or from the Academic Advising Center.

Graduation

Degree-seeking students formally declare their degree plan by filing an Application for Graduation with the Office of the Registrar by the date stipulated in the Class Schedule. The Application for Graduation should be submitted to the Registrar's Office as early as possible but no later than the appropriate deadline stated in the Class Schedule. Students should complete their Application for Graduation in consultation with a department advisor.

Diplomas and Commencement

Students who have met all requirements for graduation are granted diplomas at the end of the semester for which they are degree candidates. Completion of two majors does not result in two degrees or diplomas. A formal commencement ceremony is held at the end of the spring and fall semesters. For commencement information, call 303-556-6226.

Transcripts of Records

An official transcript is a certified copy of a student's permanent academic record. Except for faxed transcripts, there is no charge. Transcripts will be released by the Registrar's Office upon formal written request by the student. Transcripts will also be issued to firms and employers if written authorization is received from the student. Requests should include the student's full legal name as recorded while attending MSCD, student identification number, last term of attendance, number of copies desired, and to whom and where transcripts are to be sent. Transcripts may be withheld because of indebtedness to the college or for other appropriate reasons. Transcripts from other institutions that are on file in the Registrar's Office will be issued upon signed request by the student. A charge of $5 per request is assessed for this service. Students from other institutions taking MSCD courses under the state college system or interinstitutional registration programs must request transcripts from their home institution.

Honors and Awards

The college annually recognizes students who show outstanding leadership and service to the college and community, excellence in scholastic achievement, and outstanding personal character and integrity. Recognition of students includes:

The President's Award (one senior); the Special Service Award for Academic Affairs (one senior) and for Student Services (one senior); Outstanding Student Awards (seniors from each school); Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (seniors); American Association of University Women (AAUW) Award (senior woman). Other awards include Special Service Award for Exceptionally Challenged Students, Student Government Assembly Award, Charles W. Fisher Award and the Colorado Engineering Council Award.

Information and applications for these awards are available in Central Classroom Building, room 313. Awards are presented at the annual banquet the night before graduation.

In addition to annual awards, students with outstanding academic achievements are recognized by being named on the college's Honor Lists. The President's Honor List carries the names of students who, at the time of computation, have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.85 or higher. The Vice President's Honor List carries the names of students who, at the time of computation, have achieved a cumulative GPA of between 3.50 and 3.84, inclusively. Computation will occur initially when the student has completed between 30 and 60 hours at MSCD, then again between 60 and 90 hours, and finally after more than 90 hours. Posting of the award occurs after the student receives their semester grade report. Questions should be directed to the Office of Academic Affairs at 303-556-3907.

Graduation honors are awarded to students who have demonstrated superior academic ability in their baccalaureate degree while attending MSCD. Honors designations are determined according to the following criteria:

. To determine each honor's category, GPAs for the previous spring semester graduates are arrayed in rank order. This rank ordering is then used to determine the honors recipients among the following summer, fall and spring graduates.

Honors designations are added to the student's official academic record; no other notification will be sent. For additional information regarding graduation honors, contact the Office of Academic Affairs at 303-556-3907.

Grades and Notations

The following minimal requirements are required throughout the college and are a part of all school, departmental or individual faculty policies:

Students are expected to attend all sessions of courses for which they are registered. Each instructor determines when a student's absences have reached a point at which they jeopardize the student's success in a course. When absences become excessive, the student may receive a failing grade for the course.

Quality Points

The number of quality points awarded for a course is determined by multiplying the number of semester hours for that course by the quality point value of the grade received. The cumulative GPA is calculated by dividing the total by the number of semester hours attempted.

To be eligible for a degree, a candidate must have a minimum number of quality points equal to twice the number of semester hours attempted in addition to meeting other prescribed requirements. The following notations have no effect on the GPA: AP, CC, CL, EX, I, NC, NR, P, PL, PP, S, SA, SN.

Pass-Fail Option

The pass-fail option encourages students to broaden their educational experience by taking courses outside their major and minor fields. The pass notation has no effect on the GPA; the fail notation is equivalent to the grade of "F."

Students who have completed at least one MSCD course with at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA may choose to be evaluated for a certain course on a pass-fail basis rather than by letter grade. The pass-fail option may be used for general elective credit only. Major, minor, General Studies and other courses required for a degree or for teacher licensure, may not be taken on a pass-fail basis. Self-paced courses may not be taken under the pass-fail option. Maximum graduation credit for these ungraded courses is 18 semester hours, earned in no more than six courses, limited to one course per semester or module.

Students must declare interest in the pass-fail option no later than the last day to add classes (during the first 15 percent of the total time frame of the semester) for a particular semester or module by contacting the Registrar's Office. The instructor will assign and record the pass-fail grade on a final grade list that identifies students electing and eligible for pass-fail grading. Students who request the option who are later declared ineligible will receive notification from the Registrar's Office during the semester. They will be assigned a regular letter grade in the course. Once approved, the request for the pass-fail option is irrevocable.

Some institutions do not accept credits for courses in which a pass notation is given. Therefore, students who plan to transfer or take graduate work should determine whether the institution of their choice will accept the credit before registering for courses under the pass-fail option.

Repeated Courses (Last Grade Stands)

A student may repeat any course taken at MSCD regardless of the original grade earned. By doing so, only the credit and the grade for the latest attempt at the course will remain on the student's MSCD academic record. The grade for the prior attempt(s) will be changed to the "NC" notation. The courses must carry the same title, course number and semester hours. To effect such a change, the student must reregister and pay tuition for the course in question, complete the course with a letter grade and complete the necessary form in the Registrar's Office indicating that the course has been repeated. Otherwise, the grade change will be made administratively when detected. Credit duplication involving transfer, interinstitutional or state college system courses may result in transfer credit being disallowed. A failing course grade assigned as a result of academic dishonesty is considered a permanent "F" and is not subject to this policy. A student may not repeat a course after the award of a MSCD degree to make use of this policy.

Student Grade Appeal Procedure

If students have reason to question the validity of a grade received in a course, they must make their request for a change before the end of the second week of the semester following the completion of the course (the following fall semester in the case of the spring semester). The Grade Appeal Guidelines can be obtained from the students' respective deans. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate a grade appeal within the time limit, and to follow the procedures specified for grade appeals in the Student Rights and Responsibilities section of the current Student Handbook. The handbook may be obtained from the Office of Student Services. All decisions of the Grade Appeal Committee will be reviewed by the associate vice president for academic affairs.

Warning/Probation/Suspension Policy

Academic Satisfactory Progress/Good Standing

A student is deemed to be making satisfactory progress toward his or her academic goal if the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. This student is deemed to be in academic good standing with the institution. However, other academic standards may apply to specific programs. A student must satisfy those other academic standards in order to be deemed in academic good standing with that program. See information on the program of interest to determine specific standards for that program.

Academic Warning Status

A student in good standing whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 will be on academic warning status with the institution during his or her next semester. A student will be removed from this warning status and returned to good standing if he or she achieves a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 at the end of his or her semester on warning status. More restrictive standards may apply to certain programs or schools. See information on the program of interest.

Academic Probation

A student who fails to achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 at the end of his or her semester on warning status will be put on academic probation with the institution during his or her next semester at MSCD. A student will be on academic probation as long as he or she has a cumulative GPA below 2.0, but is making progress toward good standing as explained below and has not been on academic probation for more than three semesters. Other conditions may apply to given programs or schools. See information on the program of interest.

A student is removed from academic probation and is in good standing the semester after achieving a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.

During any semester that a student is on academic probation, the student must make progress toward good standing with the institution by taking all of the following actions:

While on academic probation, a student may pre-register for the first semester following the academic warning status semester, but is prohibited from pre-registering any other semester. For subsequent academic probation status semesters, a GPA of at least 2.2 must be verified prior to registration.

Academic Suspension

A student on academic probation not making progress toward good standing will be prohibited from registering for one calendar year from the date of suspension. Appeal of suspension for this reason will be submitted to the director of Student Intervention Services. The director of Student Intervention Services will then deliver the appeal materials to the Student Academic Review Committee, which will review the appeal and notify the student of its decision. A student may appeal a suspension only two times in his or her academic career at the college.

A student making progress toward good standing, whose cumulative GPA remains below a 2.0 after three or more semesters on probation, will have his or her academic progress reviewed each semester by the Student Academic Review Committee. The committee will determine whether the student should be placed on suspension. In both cases, the decision of the Student Academic Review Committee is final.

Any student returning to the college after the one-calendar-year suspension must reapply and will be re-admitted on academic probation with the institution. For these students, all probation rules outlined above will apply.

A student who is suspended for a second time will be re-admitted only if he or she has successfully completed an associate degree program from a community college after suspension from MSCD or can demonstrate to the Student Academic Review Committee that chances for successful completion of an educational program are greatly improved.

Contact Student Intervention Services at 303-556-4048 for further information.

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Policies and Procedures

Generally, the policies and procedures contained in this Catalog must be followed by students officially enrolling for the 1999 fall semester and the 2000 spring and summer semesters. For a detailed description of the Student Rights and Responsibilities please refer to the current MSCD Student Handbook.

Exceptions

Students may appeal to the Board of Academic Standards Exceptions to request a variance from college academic requirements. Valid reasons for variances must accompany all petitions, and the petitions must be signed by the appropriate dean and department chair.

Academic Honesty

Students have a responsibility to maintain standards of academic ethics and honesty. Cases of cheating or plagiarism are handled within the policies of Academic Affairs in accordance with procedures outlined in the MSCD Student Handbook.

Conduct of Students

MSCD policy provides students the largest degree of freedom consistent with good work and orderly conduct. The Student Handbook contains standards of conduct to which students are expected to adhere. Information regarding students' rights and responsibilities, including the student due process procedure (the procedural rights provided to students at MSCD before disciplinary action is imposed) is available in Central Classroom Building, room 313.

Class Attendance

Students are expected to attend all sessions of courses for which they are registered. Each instructor determines when a student's absences have reached a point at which they jeopardize success in a course. When absences become excessive, the student may receive a failing grade for the course. If students anticipate a prolonged absence, they should contact their instructors. If they find that they cannot communicate with the instructor, they should contact the chair of that department, who will inform the instructor of the reasons for the anticipated absence. Whenever an instructor determines that a student's absences are interfering with academic progress, the instructor may submit a letter to the department chair informing that office of the situation.

Students at MSCD who, because of their sincerely held religious beliefs, are unable to attend classes, take examinations, participate in graded activities or submit graded assignments on particular days shall, without penalty, be excused from such classes and be given a meaningful opportunity to make up such examinations and graded activities or assignments provided that proper notice and procedures are followed. The policies and procedures designed to excuse class attendance on religious holidays are covered in the Student Rights and Responsibilities section of the MSCD Student Handbook.

Final Examinations

It is the general policy of the college to require final examinations of all students in all courses in which they are registered for credit, with the possible exception of seminar courses or special projects.

Equal Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act

The Metropolitan State College of Denver is an equal opportunity employer; applications from minorities and women are particularly invited. The Metropolitan State College of Denver does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability in admissions or access to, or treatment or employment in, its educational programs or activities. Inquiries concerning the college grievance procedures may be directed to the designated MSCD officials. Inquiries concerning Title VI and Title IX may be referred to Dr. Percy Morehouse, Jr., MSCD Office of Equal Opportunity, Campus Box 63, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362, 303-556-2939. Inquiries concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or 504 may be referred to Ms. Helen Fleming, Faculty and Staff ADA Coordinator, MSCD, Campus Box 47, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362, 303-556-8514; Mr. Kelly Espinoza, Student ADA Coordinator, MSCD, Campus Box 23, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362, 303-556-3908; Mr. Dick Feuerborn, ADA Coordinator, AHEC, Campus Box 001, P.O. Box 173361, Denver, CO 80217-3361, 303-556-8376; or Ms. Karen Rosenchein, Manager. Otherwise, all inquiries may be referred to the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Denver, CO 80204, 303-844-3723.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Student Rights

The Metropolitan State College of Denver maintains educational records for each student who has enrolled at the college. A copy of the college's policy on student educational records may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar, Central Classroom Building, room 105. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), 20 USC 1232g, and the implementing regulations published at 34 CFR part 99, each eligible student has the right to:

1. Inspect and review his/her educational records;

2. Request the amendment of the student's education records to ensure that they are not inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy or other rights;

3. Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent (see Nondisclosure and Exceptions); and

Procedure for Inspecting and Reviewing Educational Records

Students may inspect and review their education records upon a written request submitted to the Registrar, Central Classroom, Room 105, or by mail to Campus Box 84, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, Colorado 80217-3362.

A. The request shall identify as precisely as possible the record or records the student wishes to inspect.

B. The record custodian or an appropriate staff person shall make the arrangements for access as promptly as possible and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. Access must be given in 45 days or less from the receipt of the request.

C. When a record contains information about more than one student, the student may inspect and review only the records which relate to that student.

Procedure for Amending Educational Records

A student may make a written request to amend a record.

1. In the request, the student should identify the part of the record to be changed and specify why the student believes it is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student's privacy or other rights.

2. The Metropolitan State College of Denver shall comply with the request or notify the student that the college will not comply with the request and advise the student of the student's right to a hearing to challenge the information believed to be inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the student's rights.

3. Upon written request, The Metropolitan State College of Denver will arrange for a hearing, and notify the student, reasonably in advance, of the date, place and time of the hearing.

4. The hearing will be conducted by a hearing officer who is a disinterested party, but who may be an official of the institution. The student shall be afforded a full and fair opportunity to pre- sent evidence relevant to the issues raised in the original request to amend the student's educa tion records. The student may be assisted by one or more individuals, including an attorney.

5. The Metropolitan State College of Denver will prepare a written decision based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing. The decision will include a summary of the evidence presented and the reasons for the decision.

6. If The Metropolitan State College of Denver decides that the challenged information is not inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the student's right of privacy or other right, it will notify the student that the student has a right to place in the record a statement commenting on the challenged information and/or a statement setting forth reasons for disagreeing with the decision.

7. The statement will be maintained as part of the student's education records as long as the contested portion is maintained. If The Metropolitan State College of Denver decides that the information is inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the student's rights, it will amend the record and notify the student, in writing, that the record has been amended.

Nondisclosure and Exceptions

Pursuant to FERPA, the college will not disclose a student's education records without the written consent of the student except to college officials with legitimate educational interests, to officials at other institutions in which the student seeks to enroll, in connection with providing financial aid to the student, to accrediting agencies in carrying out their functions, to federal, state or local authorities auditing or evaluating the college's compliance with education programs, to consultants conducting studies on behalf of the college, in compliance with a judicial order or subpoena, and in connection with a health or safety emergency involving the student. However, the college may release directory information without the prior written consent of the student unless within ten (10) calendar days after the first scheduled class day of each term, an enrolled student has notified the college's Office of the Registrar in writing that any or all types of directory information shall not be disclosed without the consent of the student. A request for nondisclosure will remain in effect until the student is no longer enrolled or cancels the request for nondisclosure.

A school official is a person employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position; or a person elected to the Board of Trustees; or a person employed by or under contract to the college to perform a special task, such as attorney, auditor or consultant; or a student or other person serving on an official college committee or assisting a school official in performing the official's professional duties and responsibilities. A legitimate educational interest is the need of a school official to review educational records in order to fulfill that official's professional duties and responsibilities.

Directory Information

The Metropolitan State College of Denver has designated the following categories of personally identifiable information on students as directory information under section 438(a)(5)(B) of FERPA:

The Student Right-to-Know Act and the Campus Security Act

Campus Crime Information

During 1996, 1997 and 1998, the following crimes were committed on campus at the Auraria Higher Education Center, serving the University of Colorado at Denver, The Metropolitan State College of Denver and the Community College of Denver:

Reported Criminal Offenses on Campus

Reported Criminal Offenses at Satellite Campuses (*3)

Number of Arrests for the Following Crimes on Campus

(*1) forcible fondling|
(*2) one offense, two victims, ethnic intimidation
(*3) information provided to Auraria Campus Police & Security by the Denver Police
(*4) excludes DUI arrests
(*5) zero reported for 1998 to avoid double reporting in conjunction with drug abuse violation arrests
(*6) includes arrests made for more serious offenses that involved use of a weapon