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Student Services Policies

Student Services Policies: 3000s

For more information regarding student rights, Highline’s Policies and Procedures in the catalog.

3020: Consumer Information and Student Right to Know

Students and other interested persons can access information on completion and/or graduation rates; district security policies and crime statistics; athletic program participation rates and financial support data; completion and/or graduation rates for student-athletes; information regarding student records under the Family Education Rights and Privacy act (FERPA); and the alcohol and drug policy by visiting Highline’s Website. Paper copies of the above documents may be obtained from the executive assistant for Student Services in Building 6, room 218.

Highline College
MS 6-11, P.O. Box 98000
Des Moines, WA 98198-9800
(206) 592-3077

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
 

Students at Highline College have certain rights regarding their educational records. These rights are part of the federal legislation known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Student Rights

  1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records.
  2. The right to 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. 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.
  4. The right to file with the U.S. Department of Education a complaint concerning alleged failures by Highline College to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
  5. The right to obtain a copy of Highline College’s student records policy. You can obtain a copy of the policy from the Registrar’s office.

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3030: Graduation

June commencement is a ceremony for those students who have completed or plan to complete their degree or certificate during fall, winter, or spring of the current academic year, or the summer quarter immediately following. Participation is not required. Ceremony participation does not guarantee degree completion.

Highline encourages all students to apply for graduation at least two quarters prior to the anticipated graduation date. The “Application for Graduation/Request for Graduation Evaluation” form is available at the Registration office in Building 6, lower level or online. Submission of the application form initiates an evaluation of all coursework applicable to the degree indicated. Upon completion of this process, students are notified of the results. A degree or certificate evaluator has determined all required coursework has been successfully completed. A student may not earn more than one transfer degree (AA-DTA) at Highline College.

The Graduation Review Board considers requests for substitutions and waivers to degree requirements. Such requests must be submitted in writing to the Graduation Review Board at the Registration office in Building 6.

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3040: Student Complaint Policy

The Student Complaint Procedure, also known as the “Nonacademic Complaints against College Employees” provides guidelines that promote constructive dialogue, understanding, and informal resolution of complaints and concerns that arise against college employees outside the instructional setting. This process also provides an avenue for formal procedures should an informal approach be ineffective. A complaint is defined as a statement that expresses a student’s dissatisfaction with the performance or action of a college employee, which the student believes to be unfair or inconsistent with college policy or procedure.

Steps for the Student Complaint Procedures

  1. Step 1: Discuss complaint with staff member. The complainant should discuss the complaint informally and thoroughly with the staff member to whom the complaint is directed. Both parties should openly discuss the complaint/concern and attempt to understand the other’s perspectives, explore alternatives, and arrive at a satisfactory resolution to the complaint. If the complainant and staff member are unsuccessful at finding a resolution, if either of the parties is unwilling to meet, or if the complainant is dissatisfied with the complaint resolution, they should then move to step 2.
  2. Step 2: Express complaint in writing. Within ten business days of meeting or attempting to meet with the staff member, and the issue remains unresolved, the complainant shall draft a written complaint and forward the written complaint to the staff member and the staff member’s immediate supervisor.
  3. Step 3: Supervisor conference. Upon receiving the complainant’s written complaint, the staff member’s immediate supervisor will ask the staff member for a written response. The supervisor may request supporting materials from either the staff member or complainant. At this step, the supervisor’s primary goal is to facilitate a resolution of the matter between the parties. To that end, at his or her discretion, the supervisor may hold a conference with the involved parties, may meet with each individually, or may communicate a proposed resolution(s) in writing. Within fifteen business days of the date the written complaint was received, the supervisor shall provide a written copy of his/her decision to each involved party.
  4. Step 4: Executive conference.If the decision of the immediate supervisor does not resolve the complaint to the satisfaction of the complainant, the executive director of human resources or his or her designee shall, on request of the complainant, convene a conference of all affected supervisors within ten business days. All written statements and supporting materials from involved parties will be provided to the executive director of human resources or his or her designee prior to the conference. The executive director of human resources or his or her designee and the affected supervisors may opt to meet, individually or collectively, with the involved parties. Written materials will be retained in the human resources office. If after discussion, mediation, and review of materials at the conference, the involved parties are unable to find a mutually acceptable resolution, the executive director of human resources or his or her designee shall within five business days render a written decision on the complaint and will provide copies to all involved parties. The decision of the executive director of human resources or his or her designee will be final.

Additional information about the Student Complaint Procedure can be found here.

Assistance with the Student Complaint Procedure

If you would like further assistance with the Student Complaint Procedure, contact our Dean of Advising and Enrollment Services or Dean of Student Support & Retention Services at studentcomplaints@highline.edu. 

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3060: Student Conduct Code

Highline College is committed to ensuring a welcoming, inclusive and safe learning environment for all students. The Student Conduct Code (SCC) is a contractual agreement between the enrolled student and the College, and it is important that students be informed and knowledgeable about behavioral expectations and responsibilities to ensure their academic success. A student’s admission into Highline constitutes acceptance to comply with the Student Conduct Code. The process and procedures are not intended to be punitive, but rather to focus on students’ development and learning. Conduct administrators are dedicated to ensure respect, due process and fundamental fairness in the administration of the SCC.

Highline students have guaranteed rights within the limitations of statutory law and college policy as deemed necessary to achieve the educational goals of the college. Know your rights!

For complete information on Student Rights and the Code of Conduct, visit Student Services.

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3050: Student's Social Security Numbers

Students at Highline College have certain rights regarding their educational records. These rights are part of the federal legislation known as the FERPA.

Students have the right to the following:

  • Inspect and review their educational records within 45 days of the day that the college receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar in Building 6 a written request that identifies the record(s) that they wish to inspect. The registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
  • Request the amendment of the students educational record(s) that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students have up to thirty (30) days after the quarter ends to request the college amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. The process for submitting such a request is to complete a Registration Petition Form, which is available on the Registration and Records website. The from must identify the change that needs to be made and why the record is inaccurate or misleading. Please note: There is a separate process for students who wish to file an Instructional Grievance to challenge a properly recorded grade. Information on the Instructional Grievance process is available from faculty, advisers and deans. If the college decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the registrar will notify the student of the decision in writing.
  • Consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational records may be made to Registration and Records. School officials with a legitimate interest may access academic records. A school official has a legitimate education interest if the official needs to review an education record to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

A school official is a person employed or contracted by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research or support staff position (including campus safety officers). Additionally, it may include a person, company or agency with who the college has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, collection agent, public service agency, education agency or school); 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. Volunteers and interns serving in any of these capacities are also considered school officials.

Upon request, the college may disclose education records without student consent to officials of another school in which a student is concurrently enrolled, or seeks or intends to enroll. The college also may publish or provide the following directory information to any person who requests it: Student name, address, program of study, quarters of attendance, participation in officially recognized activities or sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, or degrees and awards received.

In addition, the college provides to military recruiters the following additional directory information: date and place of birth and level of education.

Students who do not wish the college to release their directory information must notify the registrar in writing.

Students may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Complaints should be sent to the office that administers FERPA:

Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5920

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3070: Hazing Prevention Policy

Hazing is prohibited within the Highline College community. Hazing is any conduct committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group (collectively “student groups”) or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such a student group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm, to any student or other person attending Highline College, including causing, directing, coercing, or forcing a person to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance which subjects the person to risk of such harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. “Hazing” does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions. This prohibition applies to conduct that may occur both on and off campus. In compliance with 2SHB 1751 (2022), the College will implement procedures and programs, including offering students and employees hazing prevention training and programming, implementation of a mandatory reporting procedure, creation of a hazing prevention committee, and publication of a hazing report.

Procedure: 3070.1

Title:  Hazing Prevention Procedure

  • Definition: As used in RCW 28B.10.901 and 10.902, “hazing” includes any act committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization, athletic team, or living group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm, to any student or other person attending a public or private institution of higher education or other postsecondary educational institution in this state, including causing, directing, coercing, or forcing a person to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance which subjects the person to risk of such harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. “Hazing” does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions.
  • Employee Mandatory Reporting:
    • If, as a result of observations or information received in the course of employment or volunteer service, any employee, including a student employee, or volunteer at Highline College has reasonable cause to believe that hazing has occurred, the employee or volunteer shall report the incident, or cause a report to be made, to Public Safety or the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct. The employee or volunteer shall make the report at the first opportunity to do so.
    • “Reasonable cause” means a person who witnesses hazing or receives a credible written or oral report alleging hazing or potential or planned hazing activity.
    • A person who witnesses hazing or has reasonable cause to believe hazing has occurred or will occur and makes a report in good faith may not be sanctioned or punished for the violation of hazing unless the person is directly engaged in the planning, directing, or act of hazing reported.
    • Nothing in this section shall preclude a person from independently reporting hazing or suspected hazing activity to law enforcement.
    • As used in this section, “employee” means a person who is receiving wages from Highline College and is in a position with direct ongoing contact with students in a supervisory role or position of authority. “Employee” does not include a person employed as medical staff or with an affiliated organization, entity, or extension of a postsecondary educational institution, unless the employee has a supervisory role or position of authority over students. “Employee” does not include confidential employees.
  • Hazing Prevention Committee: The Highline College Hazing Prevention Committee shall promote and address hazing prevention. The committee shall have a minimum of six members including a designated chair appointed by the president of the institution. Fifty percent of the committee positions shall include students currently attending the higher education institution with at least one position filled by a student from a student organization, athletic team, or living group. The other fifty percent of the committee positions shall include at least one faculty or staff member and one parent or legal guardian of a student currently enrolled at the institution. Student input shall be considered for committee membership. A student who is a member of a student organization, athletic team, or living group that was affiliated with a finding of a hazing violation within the last twelve months may not participate in or be a member of the hazing prevention committee. The Chair of Highline College’s Hazing Prevention Committee is the Student Conduct Manager or Designee.
  • Training: All “employees” including student employees must receive hazing prevention training, either electronically or in person, on the signs and dangers of hazing, as well as the College’s prohibition against hazing.

The College must provide students with educational programming on hazing that includes information on hazing awareness, prevention, intervention, and the College’s policies prohibiting hazing. This programming can be provided either in person or electronically and must be part of the College’s new student orientation sessions. The program must also be posted on the College’s public website for the public, including parents, legal guardians, and volunteers to review.

Approved for Adoption by The President: January 5, 2023

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3080: Admission Policy

Highline College has an open access admissions policy, and provides equal opportunity access to its educational programs. The college admits students based on provisions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC). In accordance, Highline College maintains an open-door policy and no student will be denied admission because of the location of the student's residence or because of the student's educational background or ability. Highline adheres to established minimum standards for admission to a Washington State community or technical college, as follows.

Admissions Standards

Highline College admits anyone

Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to any specific program, course, class or selective admissions program. Generally, admitted students may enroll in any instructional programs offered by Highline college as long as the student meets the requirements for enrollment. Highline College reserves the right to determine admission to the college and/or the ability of students to enroll in certain classes.

Underage Admissions Policy: Exception for applicants 17 years old or younger

Applicants who will be 17 years of age or younger on the first day of instruction in the quarter of enrollment who do not meet general admissions standards and are not seeking admissions through one of Highline’s enrollment options, must petition the Dean of Advising & Enrollment Services, or their delegate, for an exception to Highline’s general admission standards.  Emancipated minors (as stated in RCW 13.64) may act on their own behalf without consent of a parent or guardian.

Underage students and their parents/guardians are advised that Highline College:

  • Is an institution of higher learning and, as such, is an adult environment.
  • Makes no special allowances or accommodations to students because of age.
  • Does not grant parental access to a student’s educational records without written consent from the student.
  • Holds all students accountable to the same high academic and disciplinary standards.
  • Reserves the right to request additional information and/or deny any underage enrollment.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Highline College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of age, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy or related conditions, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, Veteran or military status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable local, state, or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any grievance process within the institution, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and/or other human/civil rights agency. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sex-based harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types as defined under Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 ). 

The College will promptly and effectively address any such discrimination of which it has Knowledge/Notice. The Executive Director of Human Resources can answer Non-Discrimination Harassment Policy questions. Matters related to Sex-Based Harassment or Sex Discrimination should be directed to the  Title IX Coordinator. Receive this information in an alternate format by contacting Access Services (206) 592-3857; TTY (206) 870-4853. 

Melanie Lawson
Interim Executive Director of Human Resources
Highline College, Building 12
(206) 592-3857
mlawson@highline.edu | HRstaff@highline.edu

Danielle K. Slota
Title IX Coordinator
Highline College, Building 12
(206) 592-3600
TitleIX@highline.edu | dslota@highline.edu

Approved for Adoption by The President: March 21, 2024

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3090: Academic Standards Policy

Academic Standing Policy for Students with Cumulative and Quarterly GPA below 2.0

Satisfactory Academic Standing: Satisfactory Academic Standing is a status indicating a student is meeting the academic standards policy requirements by maintaining a cumulative and quarterly GPA of 2.0 or above.

Level 1 Academic Standing

  • Definition: Level 1 Academic Standing is status indicating a student is not meeting the academic standards policy Students are on Academic Standards Policy (ASP) Level 1 if both their quarterly and cumulative GPAs are below a 2.0 for one quarter.
  • Students on ASP Level 1 are placed an ASP registration hold and must complete a Highline College Academic Improvement Plan in order to have the hold lifted.

Level 2 Academic Standing

  • Definition: Level 2 Academic Standing is placed when both quarterly and cumulative GPA is less than 2.0 for two consecutive quarters.
  • Students on ASP Level 2 are placed an ASP Level 2 registration hold and must complete all of the following to have the hold lifted:
    • Submit a Highline College Academic Improvement Plan approved by a Highline College staff or faculty and
    • Participate in an Academic Standards Policy sponsored activity

Level 3 Academic Standing

  • Definition: Level 3 Academic Standing is placed when both quarterly and cumulative GPA is less than 2.0 for three or more consecutive quarters. At this level, the college is concerned about continued challenges and requires the student to pause their enrollment to re-evaluate their academic progress before returning.
  • Students on ASP Level 3 are placed on ASP Level 3 registration hold, and their classes will be dropped by the 100% refund date of the following quarter. Prior to re-enrolling, they are to meet with the Academic Standards Policy Manager or designee to develop a Highline College Academic Improvement Plan.
  • Appeal Process: If the student wishes to appeal their Level 3 Academic Standing status so they can continue enrollment, they are to follow the appeal process outlined below:
    • Submit an Academic Standards Policy Appeal Form by the stated due date and time and
    • The student is to meet with the Highline College ASP Appeal Committee or designee. Upon review, the appeal will be approved, denied, or approved with conditions for continued enrollment.

Policy Development Council adopted the policy on Jan 16, 2025.

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