Policies and Procedures

Students are recognized for outstanding academic achievements by making the Dean's List or President's List at NSC.

  • Dean's List - Student must have 10 or more credits per quarter and 3.5 quarterly GPA.
  • President's List - Student must have accumulated 30 or more credits at NSCC and a 3.8 or higher cumulative GPA.
  • Phi Theta Kappa Honorary - Phi Theta Kappa International Honorary Society recognizes academically outstanding students at two-year public and private colleges, and is the largest honorary society in the world. Chapters at each of the Seattle Community Colleges offer students a variety of activities and benefits.

Authority: NSC

NSC: Admissions/Registration - Add, Drop and Withdraw

Adding Classes:
After the initial registration, courses may be added on a space-available basis using online registration, or submit an Add/Drop form to the Registration Front Counter Services for changes.

  • First through the fourth day of the quarter: classes may be added through online registration or in person WITHOUT an instructor's signature and on a space-available basis.
  • From the fifth day to the tenth day of the quarter: classes may be added only with an instructor's signature - or with an email from an instructor for distance learning classes.
  • After the tenth day of the quarter (the eighth day in summer quarter): students may not add classes.

Dropping Classes: Students who are dropping classes may do so using online registration or in person through the tenth instructional day (eighth day for summer) of the quarter without a record of the dropped classes appearing on the academic transcript.

Withdrawing from Classes: Students who withdraw from classes may do so using online registration or in person. A grade of "W" will be recorded on the academic transcript for withdrawals made after the tenth instructional day (the eighth day for summer) of the quarter.

After the eighth week of the quarter (the sixth week of summer quarter), students may not withdraw from classes. If you have missed the deadline, please talk with your instructor about other available grade options.

Financial Aid Recipients: Withdrawing from class may affect your financial aid eligibility. You should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to dropping any classes.

International Students: Dropping below 12 credit hours may impact your visa eligibility. Please talk with the International Programs Office prior to dropping any classes.

All Students: To avoid any potential problems in meeting your educational goals, you are strongly encouraged to meet with your instructor and an advisor before dropping any classes. All students who have registered and paid fees must officially withdraw if they wish to discontinue attendance. Failure to officially withdraw may result in a failing grade being assigned at the end of the quarter. Questions regarding withdrawal procedures can be answered at the Registration Office.

Authority: SCD - Admissions policy

Authority: SCD - Affirmative action policy

Authority: SCD

Pets on the grounds of the Seattle Community Colleges shall be in the physical control of their owner in accordance with Seattle Municipal Code 18.12.080 (Animals running at large prohibited) at all times. In addition, animals are prohibited from entering college buildings.

These provisions do not apply to guide dogs and service animals as provided in RCW 70.84.

References: RCW 70.84

Authority: NSC

Appeals must be made within one month of taking the placement test. Only one appeal is allowed per test.

For math appeals: contact the Math, Science, Social Sciences Division Office at (206) 934-3746 to schedule an appointment with a math instructor or the division dean. Bring your math placement results and picture ID with you to this appointment. You may bring a recent math textbook if you feel this will strengthen your appeal for placement in a higher level.

For English appeals: Follow the procedure below. There is a study guide for the Appeal Test available.

Cost: The current fee for the Appeal Test is available from the fees page.

Procedure:

The appeal must be done within one month of taking the English placement test; only one appeal is permitted.

  • Go to the Cashier to pay the Appeal Test fee. Keep your receipt—you will need to take it with you to your Appeal Test.
  • Schedule the Appeal Test with the Testing Center during regular Placement Testing drop-in testing hours.
  • Bring your receipt, test scores, and valid picture ID to the Testing Center at your scheduled appointment.

If English is your first language, you will have one hour to complete the test. If English is not your first language, you will have 1.5 hours.

  • The placement results from the Appeal Test will be available in one week. You must pick up your results from the Testing Center in person—bring valid picture ID with you.

Authority: NSC

You may not attend any classes unless you have officially registered, and have paid tuition and fees. Instructors may not allow a student to attend their class if the student's name is not on the official class roster. Students who have outstanding tuition due will be dropped from classes.

Students who are officially enrolled in credit classes must be in attendance, or communicate with the instructor, no later than the first scheduled session of day classes. Students who are absent without prior approval of the instructor or the division may be dropped by the college.

Students should not assume that they have been dropped if they have not attended class on the first day. This procedure is usually implemented only when there are other students waiting to enroll in that class.

Authority: SCD

Per SCD policy 515, a student may be awarded college credit as a result of the following. There is no limit on approved transferred credits as long as residency and degree requirements are met.

  • Successful completion of prescribed courses or units of instruction
  • Approved transfer of credit from another regionally accredited college or university, recognized international college or university, or post-secondary institution
  • Adequate performance on a challenge exam or standardized advanced placement exam
  • Relevant prior experiential learning (work experience)
  • Other recognized educational experience such as military training or training approved by the state, industry, or a professional association

In the case of credit awarded for advanced placement, experiential learning, or other recognized educational experiences, credit will be entered on the student's transcript as satisfactorily completed but will not carry grade points.

Procedures for awarding specific types of credit are outlined in SCD procedures 515.05-15.

References: SCD Procedures 515.05-15

Concurrent enrollment with other campuses outside the Seattle College District is no longer available. However, Intradistrict registration is available inside the Seattle College District.

You may change your courses from credit-to-audit or audit-to-credit in person at the Registration Front Counter Services only through the 8th week (6th week for summer) of the quarter.

Instructor’s signature for permission is required beginning the tenth day of the quarter (the eighth day for summer quarter).

Credit/Audit change is not available through the Online Services.

You do not receive credit or grades for audited classes. Audited classes cannot be used as a completed prerequisite.

Authority: NSC

Currently Enrolled Students are students who are continually enrolled in school from quarter to quarter. (Students who are enrolled Fall, Winter and Spring and do not enroll for summer are still considered Currently Enrolled Students the next Fall quarter).

Currently enrolled students register for classes using NSC’s Online Services beginning the 7th week of the prior quarter. Students can follow instructions on how to register for classes or go to the Online Services section for links to registration and other services.

Students must pay their tuition and fees by the posted deadline via Online Services or in person through the Cashier.

Authority: NSC

As a student seeking services, assistance, accommodation and/or academic adjustments, you are responsible for and expected to comply with the following:

  • Identify yourself as a student with a disability and complete the Intake Appointment with Disability Services staff before the start of each quarter. As a part of the intake process, you are required to submit documentation to verify eligibility for services.
  • Requests for approved disability accommodations must be submitted in a timely manner. Where books in alternative format are needed, contact Disability Services 4-6 weeks before the start of the quarter. Requests for interpreting services should be made at least 4 weeks in advance of the start of classes. Requests for furniture or equipment should be made 4 weeks in advance of the start of classes. When request are make late, delays may occur in the provision of accommodations.
  • Be available to assist faculty in their understanding of your specific needs.
  • Follow all policies and procedures of North Seattle Community College's Disability Services office.
  • Inform Disability Services, in a timely manner, of any concerns about the effective receipt of agreed-upon accommodations.

Inquiries regarding ADA§504 should be directed to the Disabilities Services manager or coordinator.

The North Seattle College Web site has many links to other Web sites. These include links to Web sites operated by other entities. When you follow a link to another site, you are no longer on the North Seattle College Web site and our Privacy Statement and other protections will not apply. When you link to another Web site, you are subject to the privacy policy and terms of usage of that site.

Neither the State of Washington, nor any agency, officer, or employee of the State of Washington warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information published by this system, nor endorses any content, viewpoints, products, or services linked from this system, and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at their own risk.

Authority: SCD - Drug-Free Workplace

Official Seattle College District Policy.

Authority: SCD

From SCD Procedure 259.10-40

259.10 Definitions

259.10.01 Electronic Information Resources (EIRs)

All electronic hardware, software and associated data that support or include the following: administrative information systems; desktop computing; library automation; multi-media, data, video and voice networks, including Washington State Department of Information Services (DIS) SCAN network; phone terminals; voice mail; electronic mail (E-mail); Internet access; scanners; electronic publications, including video; or any similar electronic based medium. The use of these resources is a privilege, not a right. It is the user's responsibility to use these resources in a manner that is efficient, ethical and legal.

259.10.02 User

Any SCD student, employee (including a District officer), contractor, visitor, volunteer or other person who uses the District's electronic information resources. Users as defined, may use District EIRs only for authorized purposes. It is the obligation of College employees to be aware of the governing law, rules, and guidelines set forth in Chapter 42.52 RCW, Ethics in Public Service act; WAC 292-110-010, Use of state resources (Both located at URL: ethics.wa.gov/enforcement/laws-and-rules); District policies, and these procedures.

259.10.03 Authorized Account

A user account established by District staff with appropriate password protection that authorizes use of District EIRs.

259.20 Acceptable Use

259.20.01

SCCD's EIRs are to be used for legitimate District business, and for facilitating the exchange of information to further the District's educational, research, administrative and community service purposes. Such uses shall at all times be consistent with state law and the stated purposes and objectives of the District. In accordance with RCW 42.52.160, no employee may use District EIRs that are in his/her custody or control for the private benefit or gain of that employee or of any other person, unless such use (a) is part of the employee's official duties or (b) is consistent with applicable ethics rules. These rules include, without limitation, WAC 292-110-010, Use of State Resources, which can be viewed at ethics.wa.gov/enforcement/laws-and-rules

259.20.02

Employees may make occasional but limited uses of the District's EIRs to send personal messages when there is little or no cost to the District; such use does not interfere with employee's official duties; the use is brief in duration, occurs infrequently and is not disruptive to conducting District business; such use does not compromise the security and integrity of District property, information or software; and provided that employee complies with all other requirements of state law, the EIR policy, and these procedures. Examples of such permissible incidental personal use includes (but is not limited to): Notice of public interest and public service events, such as lectures, Combined Fund Drives, blood drives, etc. Notice of office social gatherings (lunches, birthdays, receptions, etc.) District-wide notifications which are used for communicating good will among employees (holiday greetings, birth announcements, congratulatory messages, etc.) Making a local telephone call or sending an e-mail message to make sure that the employee's child has arrived safely home from school.

259.20.03

Employees may not make private use of the District's computers or other equipment to access networks, databases, electronic bulletin boards, or the Internet, for purposes that are personal to the employee and unrelated to the employee's District work, except under the following conditions. Employees may make occasional but limited uses of District EIRs to access networks, databases, electronic bulletin boards and internet using same criteria as in 259.20.02 above.

259.20.04

District EIRs shall be used in compliance with this procedure, with all collective bargaining agreements, with district regulations and with local, state and federal laws and regulations.

259.20.05

EIR users shall not share their authorized accounts or account passwords with others.

259.20.06

Users of SCCD electronic information resources must not intentionally seek information about, browse, obtain or retain copies of, or modify personal or private files, records, messages, or passwords belonging to other people, whether at any of the campuses or facilities of the SCCD or elsewhere, unless specifically authorized in advance to do so by those individuals.

259.20.07

Users shall not interfere with the performance of any EIR, or block access to any EIR for purposes allowable under these guidelines.

259.20.08

No user shall introduce invasive computer software such as viruses into any EIR. Furthermore, all EIR users are encouraged to utilize any anti-virus software provided by the District to protect electronic information.

259.20.09

All use of data and software on District EIRs must comply with related licensing agreements and with copyright laws.

259.20.10

Users shall be responsible for information they transmit through the District's EIRs and shall comply with the acceptable use policies of the Internet and any rules of discussion forums in which they participate. Furthermore, all such data transmissions shall conform with all local, state and federal laws and regulations.

259.20.11

Users shall not conceal or falsify their identity (spoofing, using anonymous re-mailers, providing false identifications, etc.) when using the District's EIRs.

259.20.12

EIRs of the District shall not be used for transmission or storage of information that constitutes or promotes: Discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, sex or gender, religion, disability, or sexual orientation; Sexual harassment; Copyright infringement; Any use for the purpose of supporting, promoting the interests of, or soliciting for an outside organization or group, including, but not limited to: A private business, a nonprofit organization, or a political party (unless provided for by law, authorized by an agency head or designee, or as provided in 259.20.01 or 259.20.02 above); Any use for the purpose of assisting a campaign for election of a person to an office or for the promotion of or opposition to a ballot proposition. Such a use of state resources is specifically prohibited by RCW 42.52.180, subject to the exceptions in RCW 42.52.180(2); Any use for the purpose of participating in or assisting in an effort to lobby the state legislature, or a state agency head. Such a use of state resources is specifically prohibited by RCW 42.17.190, subject to the exceptions in RCW 42.17.190(3); Solicitation of political financial contributions; Personal business interests; Any use related to conduct that is prohibited by a federal or state law or rule, or a state agency policy; Any private use of any district or state property that has been removed from district or state facilities or other official duty stations, even if there is no cost to the state.

259.20.13

Employees can use EIRs to communicate with a member of the legislature at the request of that member; or communicate to the legislature, through the proper official channels, requests for legislative action or appropriations necessary for the efficient conduct of their professional duties. Employees may also provide information or communicate on matters pertaining to official business to any elected official or officer or employee of any agency. Employees may also explain the official position or interests of the agency to any elected official or officer or employee of any agency.

259.20.14

No user shall transmit unsolicited and unwanted messages to any recipient except in the normal and appropriate execution of her/his official duties. Examples of such inappropriate transmissions include, but are not limited to, phone calls, faxes or e-mails that are both unsolicited and unwanted, e-mail mass mailing (spamming), and the transmission of invasive computer software.

259.20.15

E-mail messages will be kept in employees e-mail account according to the Second Quarter Rule (SQR). The SQR is: Since we are based on the Quarter System, employees will have at least two quarters of e-mail messages. On the Saturday after the 10th day of each quarter, e-mails older than two quarters will be deleted from the e-mail account. E-mails include anything in the Drafts, Inbox, Sent Items and any folders created (other than Personal .pst files) within Exchange/Outlook. Tools or means available to ensure necessary e-mails are not deleted include: Setup Personal Folders on work station and either establish rules to move messages to folders or move messages manually; Forward messages to home e-mail; Save messages to work station hard drive or write to floppy; Save messages as text files to CD and read as Word documents.

259.30 Violations and Monitoring

259.30.01

Violation of any of these procedures may result in the temporary or permanent denial of access to SCCD's EIRs, the imposition of appropriate disciplinary action (i.e., discipline of a student or employee), and/or civil or criminal sanctions.

259.30.02

SCCD EIR technical support personnel may monitor user activities or examine personal or private files, records, messages, or passwords when there is a system or network problem requiring maintenance or corrective action or when a user requests technical support staff assistance with an EIR problem which may involve those records. EIR technical support personnel are not authorized to routinely conduct monitoring or examination of user records for the purpose of seeking evidence of user violations of either SCCD policies or state or federal law.

259.30.03

The District reserves the right to monitor the use of any EIR under certain conditions. The SCCD administration may specifically authorize and direct appropriate EIR technical support personnel to monitor user activities or examine personal or private files, records, messages, or passwords for evidence of violations of applicable laws, regulations, policies, or procedures, upon determining that reasonable basis exists for such monitoring or examination. Users are advised that if such authorized monitoring reveals possible evidence of violation of any District policy or procedure or any other applicable law or regulation, or any other EIR misuse, the SCCD and its administration may use or provide such evidence in appropriate investigations and sanctions.

259.30.04

SCAN monthly report monitoring is conducted by a designated campus or department administrator who visually reviews the report. If a charge appears excessively high or unusual, the responsible administrator will contact the department or the individual who placed the call to confirm whether or not the call is business related, and therefore allowable. If it determined not to be an allowable SCAN call, the caller will reimburse the college.

259.30.05

DIS provides a SCAN authorization code audit every six months, listing all SCAN authorization codes that have had no usage within that six month period. These reports are reviewed by the responsible system administrator, and SCAN Authorizations Codes for individuals no longer with Seattle Community Colleges are deleted. If appropriate, the report is also forwarded to the department administrators, who are asked to identify any other SCAN codes that can be deleted. The administrator reviewing this audit must provide appropriate protection for the data being analyzed, as it is extraordinarily sensitive.

259.40 Privacy and Access

259.40.01

District EIR's are not generally provided for sending or receiving confidential messages. EIR systems may not be secure from unauthorized access, and the District cannot guarantee that messages are private or secure. The District will, however, make reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of communications. Authorized personnel shall have access to data under users' control, as provided elsewhere in this Procedure. Electronic messages ordinarily will be backed up and retained under retention schedules approved by the appropriate records committee in accordance with state law. Users should assume that all electronic messages may be stored for a period of at least six months on disk or tape.

259.40.02

Users shall respect the privacy of others in accordance with PRO 259.20.06. Users should assume, however, that their own files, records, messages or passwords may be seen by others, in accordance with PRO 259.30.02 and PRO 259.30.03, or when recipients or others choose to forward or disclose items that have been sent.

259.40.03

Files, records, messages, and passwords also may be disclosed when required by law. Electronic messages created or placed on the District's EIRs may be considered writings, and all writings are public records subject to disclosure to any requester in accordance with Washington's Public Disclosure Act, chapter 42.17 RCW. Electronic messages also may be legally required to be disclosed to third parties in other circumstances, such as in discovery conducted during litigation.

Adopted: December 1, 1998
Presented to Board of Trustees as an Information Item 12/01/98 Amended: November 1999; November 2005

Authority: NSC

Entry codes are five-digit numbers issued to students for classes that have unmet prerequisites or require permission by an instructor. Entry codes are used for registration through Online Services. Once an entry code has been used, the computer will not accept the same code again. Entry codes are available for unmet prerequisites through Advising, or, for permission classes, from the division.

Authority: US

Information related this law is available from the following resources.

References:

Authority: NSC

For academic, Social Security, VA, loan guarantor, etc., you must enroll in and complete at least 12 credits to be considered full-time; 6-11 credits is halftime; 5 or fewer is less than half-time.

Authority: SCD

North Seattle College uses a standardized grading system developed by the Seattle Colleges District according to policy 520. Official grading scale, and grading- and credit-procedures are stipulated in SCCD policies 520.05-15.

References:

Authority: NSC

Students who will complete their program requirements for a certificate or degree at the end of any quarter must apply for their award certificate as soon as they enroll in classes for that quarter of completion. This application must be submitted no later than the end of the second week of the quarter.

Authority: SCD

Hostile Work Environment Policy

Official Seattle College District Policy.

Authority: NSC

North Seattle College recognizes that the air is shared by all members of the college community and those who visit the campus; that suitable air quality is important in fostering a healthy and creative learning and working environment. North strongly advocates a pollutant-free environment. It also encourages a fragrance-free environment on its campus and in its programs. The college seeks to maintain the best possible air quality attainable within fiscal, legal, and regulatory constraints.

Authority: SCD

Prior to the first day of the quarter, students enrolling in classes offered at North, Central, or South Seattle Colleges may register for classes via the individual Web services or in person at each campus. Students must apply and be admitted to each respective campus. Students must also comply with all matriculation and registration requirements of the campus for which they are registering. Tuition and fees are required to be paid in full at the time of registration. Please contact the Cashiers Office at your home campus to qualify for the concurrent tuition rate.

Authority: NSC

Four-digit number assigned to each class section. It is the number you use to register for a class or to add or drop a class.

Authority: NSC

This is a reduced rate available only to non-resident students enrolled in E-learning classes.

To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens or have resident status by Federal INS.

Students must first register. Then they may seek approval for the reduced rate from the Admission & Registration Office prior to paying tuition. All non-residents who have not received approval from ARRC will be charged the regular non-resident rate.

Authority: SCD

In accordance with Seattle Colleges District (SCD) policy 605.30, tuition and fees (except those which are non-refundable) will be refunded if complete or partial withdrawal from classes is accomplished within the first twenty (20) calendar days of instruction of the regular college quarter following the beginning day of the quarter.

Refunds, except for self-support programs, (e.g., Continuing Education, Intensive English Institute) will be made in accordance with the schedule below, less an Add/Drop Administrative Fee. In those instances where the refund is less than the fee amount for the quarter, the fee will be reduced to that amount. No charge is made for dropping classes when no refund is due.

Refunds for tuition paid by check will take at least two weeks. Checks will be mailed for tuition payments by made by both check and cash. Credit/Debit card payments will be refunded to the card used to pay the tuition.

Refunds for short courses/programs and those that do not follow the regular college calendar will be applied on a pro-rata basis. Lab fees are based upon consumption of supplies and materials and will be refunded on the same basis as tuition. Parking fees will be refunded only in the case of full withdrawal from the college, in which case the fees will be refunded on the same basis as tuition. Students dismissed from the college for disciplinary reasons, or who fail to follow official withdrawal procedures, forfeit their refunds. Refunds for financial aid recipients will be refunded to the appropriate financial aid account as required by federal and state regulations.

Summer refunds are prorated according to the number of days in summer quarter.

How Tuition & Fee Refund Deadlines Are Determined

Refund deadlines for quarterly tuition and other fees are established on an annual basis by the Seattle Colleges District Business and Finance Office according to District Procedure 605.30. Based on this procedure the method for determining specific dates is outlined in the following table.

NSC based on SCCD Policy 605.30">

Refund Date-Determination Matrix

 Refund

 Date Determination Matrix

100%

 Withdrawal resulting from classes being canceled by the college

100%

 Before the first day, or during the first five (5) instructional days of the college quarter
 less Add/Drop Administrative Fee

50%

 From the sixth (6) instructional day through the twentieth (20) calendar days of the
 college quarter

0%

 After the first twenty (20) calendar days of instruction of the college quarter

References

SCD Procedure 605.30

Refund Deadlines and Amounts

Except for classes canceled by the college, refunds are subject to a quarterly administrative fee. See the Fees Table for specific fee amount.

One-Time-Only Classes

Deadline

Refund

Prior to first class

Full Refund

After first class

No refund

One-Day-Only Classes

Deadline

Refund

48 hours or more prior to class

Full Refund

Less than 48 hours prior to class

No refund

The Student Complaints Policy (WAC 132F-121-060) describes the process students follow to complain about District or College policies and/or procedures that allegedly have not been followed by college personnel.

A student complaint/issue against an instructor or staff member should be referred to the appropriate division Dean or Administrator. District policy and procedures encourages student complaints to be processed on an informal basis first. This usually entails involvement of the instructor and the Dean/Administrator to resolve the complaint at the informal level. Contact information for Division Administrators is available on program pages.

If the student feel the complaint was not resolved, the student has the option of filing a formal complaint online.

Notification of Title IV Student Complaint Process

The Higher Education Act (HEA) prohibits an institution of higher education from engaging in a “substantial misrepresentation of the nature of its educational program, its financial charges, or the employability of its graduates.” 20 U.S.C. §1094(c)(3)(A). Further, each state must have “a process to review and appropriately act on complaints concerning the institution including enforcing applicable state laws.” 34 C.F.R. § 600.9. The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) maintains a process to investigate complaints of this nature brought by community and technical college students in the state of Washington. For information, contact SBCTC Student Services, PO Box 42495, Olympia, WA 98504-2495, studentservices@sbctc.edu, 360-704-4315 or visit sbctc.edu.

Webpage: https://www.sbctc.edu/colleges-staff/programs-services/student-services/resources.aspx

Student Formal Grade Complaints (WAC 132F-121-090)

The Formal Grade Student complaints regarding grades received for course work can be filed using the informal or formal complaint procedure. A student may formally grieve only the final grade received in a course, but that complaint may include any or all of the components of that final grade. For a grade complaint, the respondent(s) shall be, or include, the instructor who issued the grade.

A formal complaint regarding a grade must be filed not later than the last day of the quarter which follows the quarter for which the disputed grade was received, except that a complaint regarding a spring quarter grade may be filed through the last day of the following fall quarter.

Formal Grade Complaints should be submitted online using the Grade Complaint Form.

The Student Conduct Policy (WAC 132F-121-100) delineates what is misconduct (WAC 132F-121-110). If a student's conduct does not comply with our student conduct policy, disciplinary sanctions may be imposed. Reasons for misconduct referral can include, but not limited to : plagiarism; intentional disruption of teaching, administration, or campus premises. The instructor should report the incident to the division Dean/Administrator who shall refer the matter in writing to the Vice President of Student Development Services. The Vice President of Student Development Services is responsible for disciplinary action related to student misconduct.  Student conduct reports should be submitted using the online Conduct/Behavioral Intervention Incident Reporting Form. For full process see Student Handbook.