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. 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 5009 Title IX 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. Students shall receive two notices to complete the training within the six month period. 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.
Questions regarding Title IX or the college’s policies should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 520-515-3623 or the Dean of Students/Title IX Deputy Coordinator/Investigator at 520-417-4050.
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 is available from the vice president for Human Resources or the 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.
Sexual Harassment
Cochise College expressly forbids sexual harassment and discrimination of its employees and students by supervisors, other employees and students, and the general public. Behaviors considered to be sexual harassment include the following: unwanted physical touching (beyond normal greeting); sexual molesting; verbal insults; and sexually explicit suggestions or rumors designed to cause emotional distress, place an individual in bad light, substantially interfere with an individual's work or study performance, or create an intimidating, hostile, and offensive work or study environment.
Any persons who believe that they have been victims of sexual harassment may make a formal complaint to an immediate supervisor, the vice president for Human Resources, or the dean of Student Services. All such complaints are treated in a confidential manner and are investigated thoroughly and promptly. If the complaints are not resolved, persons believing themselves victimized by such alleged sexual harassment are free to pursue other administrative or judicial remedies available, including the pursuit of their rights under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, through the vice president for Human Resources and affirmative action or the dean of Student Services.
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