Different cultures view time differently. In the United States, there is an unhealthy belief that an efficient person is one who can squeeze one more activity into a day and add one more item to a crammed "to do" list.

The college proposes a different approach. We believe that if you prioritize your interests, ask why you’re doing something rather than how you will fit it all in, you will use your time much more effectively. If you see the management of your time as a means to an end rather than a goal in itself, you will lead a more balanced and enjoyable life.

1. Know that you’re in charge
2. Know what times of the day are your most productive and use them for your most important activities.
3. Set aside time to do nothing – it will make your busy times more productive.
4. Take the time to make a plan.
5. Group similar activities so your time is used effectively.
6. Sort your papers so you can file them later.
7. Say NO more often.
8. Do small things now.
9. Use a calendar.
10. Stay flexible.

Many students are worried that something is seriously wrong or feel that they are "dumb" or "lazy" because they seem to have difficulties that other students do not appear to have. Perhaps you learn well through lectures but have a difficult time reading, or you express yourself well verbally but spell and write poorly. You may be relieved to know that there is a name and a solution for these types of anxiety – provoking problems.

Differences in how people learn are neurophysiological. It is important to realize that once you acquire specific strategies to work on learning problems, you can improve significantly and even overcome the problems.

Answer these questions to determine whether you might benefit from the services offered for learning disabilities:

Do you have difficulty:

• understanding and remembering what you read?
• with spelling, punctuation, and/or sentence structure?
• understanding and remembering lectures?
• memorizing math facts?
• comprehending word problems?
• reversing or confusing letters and/or numbers?
• copying information and/or math problems?
• organizing information and/or your time?

Gavilan College is committed to treating all students fairly, yet, as with any complex organization, misunderstandings and conflicts can occur.

The State of California, the Gavilan College Board of Trustees and the Affirmative Action laws provide clear methods for students to confront and resolve problems that may occur while they are enrolled. Conflict and miscommunication are, unfortunately, a fact of life. Choosing how we deal with difficult issues becomes a personal choice we all must make.

In the educational environment, there are also times when a student and a college employee (faculty/teacher/instructor, support staff, or administrator) may have a problem or issue that needs some clarification and resolution. Therefore, Gavilan College has a procedure to help students address problems and work on solutions that benefit all the people involved.

The following process for resolving issues is called the students’ problem resolution process and applies to specific situations on campus.

There are also times when the student’s attempt to resolve problems must follow laws determined by the Federal Office of Civil Rights. These situations include alleged discrimination or harassment around race/ethnicity, sexual harassment, disability, religion, gender, color, national origin and age. If you feel you have experienced discrimination based upon any of these criteria you must follow a separate procedure available from the Gavilan College affirmative action officer. Consult with the staff at the Information Desk for location of this resource.

The areas covered by the students’ problem resolution process can include an issue with a grade, poor communication, or negative behavior between you and a staff member, etc. We encourage you to speak with a counselor for assistance in clarifying your issues and understanding the correct steps to follow before pursuing the process.

If your problem is with a faculty member, you need to be aware of the concept of and rights surrounding "academic freedom."

It is the policy of the college to encourage and maintain full freedom for its faculty to teach, research and pursue knowledge as provided in the U.S. and California constitutions and other applicable laws. A teacher may discuss her/his own subject or area of competence in the classroom, as well as other relevant matters, including controversial subjects, so long as she/he distinguishes between personal opinions and factual information. The Board of Trustees shall not interfere with a faculty member’s freedom of speech or use of materials in any teaching assignment, except as allowed by law. (Paraphrased and condensed from the Gavilan College Faculty Contract, Article VII, Academic Freedom.)

The college also recognizes and understands the hesitation you may feel when considering addressing a problem with an instructor. You may fear that your grade in the class may suffer, you may later need to take another course from this instructor, or that "nothing will probably change, so why bother."

Because of these perceptions, you may sometimes think it is not worth trying to clear up a misunderstanding or resolve a conflict. We hope that you do try to resolve any problems, as unresolved issues take energy away from other aspects of your life.

The basic premise of any problem-solving is that you must discuss the problem with the person whom is directly involved. Although this is sometimes difficult, it is the best way to resolve a problem. The students’ problem resolution process also requires this as a first step.

Preparation for your problem-solving session includes asking yourself the following:

1. What was the specific behavior with which I have a problem?
2. How did this behavior make me feel?
3. What specific actions do I want to see as part of a possible resolution?

The college has a form you can use to help you clarify the above three questions. You can work on it alone or with a counselor, staff member or friend. You do not need to give the form to anyone; it is for your personal use. It may help to take it with you to the meeting(s) if you continue with the process. This preliminary thinking should help you present your concerns clearly and concisely.

Schedule an appointment so you will minimize interruptions and can hold the conversation confidentially.

You may bring someone with you to this meeting. It can be a member of the Associated Student Body (ASB) organization or another student. This person is not to speak for you but to provide support and quiet encouragement.

Most problems are resolved at this level. If you are unsatisfied, you need to let the staff person know that you will be taking your problem to the next level.

STEP 2. Make an appointment with the department chairperson or supervisor of the person with whom you have the problem. (The department chairperson or supervisor can ask all three of you to meet together or meet separately with you and the person with whom you have the problem. Then the department chairperson/supervisor will meet with you again to discuss a possible resolution.)

Discuss the problem, a summary of what occurred at the previous meeting (Step 1) and your proposed resolution.

Again, you may bring a student with you to the meeting. It is helpful for continuity if it is the same person from the last meeting.

If you are still unsatisfied . . ..

STEP 3. Schedule a meeting with the dean of the related area (Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dean of Technology and Public Services, Dean of Enrollment Management, or VP of Administrative Services). Check with a counselor or the people from the previous step for the correct people you need to meet with next. This meeting will include you and the department chairperson/supervisor and the dean.

If you are still unsatisfied . . . .

If you are still unsatisfied, you need to notify the VP of Instruction that you want to have a hearing committee review the issue. This will be forwarded to the president of the college, who, within five days of your request, will . . . .

STEP 5. Request that a hearing committee be called to hear the issue. This committee will be convened by the college president and will consist of:

1. A student appointed by the ASB
2. One faculty member from an unrelated area appointed by the faculty senate
3. One counselor appointed by the counseling chairperson
4. One member of the classified staff from an unrelated area appointed by the classified council president
5. One dean from an unrelated area, appointed by the college president
6. The department chairperson or supervisor from the area involved

The hearing committee will conduct the hearing in private. They will call related personnel if they think it will help resolve the problem. The committee will make recommendations for a win-win resolution and forward these recommendations to all involved parties and the president of the college.

If either you or the college staff member are not satisfied with the recommendations of the hearing committee, you may file . . . . .

STEP 6. An appeal to the college president. This step requires that you or the staff member involved write a letter outlining the problem, action or inaction taken so far and the hoped-for resolution. The college president will review this letter and the recommendations from the hearing committee. S/he will schedule and hold a private meeting with you to discuss and, hopefully, resolve the problem.

If you or the staff member do not feel satisfied with the president’s resolution, a final step may be pursued.

STEP 7. A written appeal may be made to the college’s board of trustees. They must respond in writing within 35 days of receiving the written appeal. This is the last step in the college’s students’ problem resolution process. As mentioned at the beginning of this process, communication and resolution of conflicts is frequently a difficult and complicated effort. It is important that we deal with issues that are important to us and attempt to do so in the most positive and productive manner. We encourage you to use the support services that are available at Gavilan College. Good luck.

Academic honesty depends upon the integrity of the students and faculty. The college itself is defrauded if faculty and/or students knowingly or unwittingly allow dishonest acts to be rewarded academically.

It is the faculty’s responsibility to make every reasonable effort to foster honest academic conduct. If a faculty member believes that there is evidence of academic dishonesty on the part of a student, it is the faculty member’s responsibility to take appropriate action in accordance with this policy.

Students at Gavilan College have the right to know what constitutes academic dishonesty at the college and in each course in which they are enrolled. Faculty members will apprise their classes of the ethical standards required in their courses and the permissible procedures for class work and examinations. A statement referring to this information will be presented in the course outline (green sheet) and/or on individual examinations. Students will be informed that there are consequences for violating these standards, their rights of appeal, and the procedures to be followed in the appeal.

1. Definitions of Academic Dishonesty

1. Purposely allowing another student to copy from your paper during a test.
2. Giving your homework term paper or other academic work to another student to plagiarize.
3. Having another person submit any work in your name.
4. Lying to an instructor or college official to improve your grade.
5. Altering a graded work after it has been returned, then submitting the work for regrading (without knowledge of the instructor)
6. Removing test(s) from classroom or any other place without instructor’s approval.
7. Stealing tests or "keys" to tests.
8. Forging signatures on drop/add slips or other college documents.

0. Cheating

At Gavilan College, cheating is the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work through any dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means. Cheating includes, but is not limited to:

0. Copying, in part or in whole, from another’s test or other evaluation instrument or obtaining answers from another person during the test without instructor’s approval.
1. Submitting work previously presented in another course, if contrary to the written rules of the course.
2. Using or consulting, during an examination, sources or materials not specifically authorized by the instructor.
3. Intentionally altering, changing, misusing documents or records. Knowingly furnishing false information or generally interfering with grading procedures or instruction of a class.
4. Sitting for an examination by a surrogate or as a surrogate.

1.1.6 Any other act committed by student(s) in the course of academic work which defrauds or misrepresents, including aiding or abetting, in any of the actions defined above.

2. Plagiarism
0. The act of incorporating the ideas, words, sentences, paragraphs, or parts thereof, or the specific substance of another’s work without giving appropriate credit, and representing the product as one’s own work.
1. Representing another’s artistic/scholarly works such as musical compositions, writings, computer programs, photographs, paintings, drawings, scriptures, or similar works as one’s own.

1. Student Evaluation and Reporting

When a Gavilan faculty member, responsible for a course, has reason to believe, and has evidence to substantiate, that the behavior of a student falls within one or both of the above sets of definitions, it is an instructor’s responsibility to take the following steps:

1. Arrange an office conference with the student and at that time advise the student of the allegations and make him or her aware of the supporting evidence and the probable consequences. Any classroom confrontation should be as discreet as possible. If, as a result of this meeting, the instructor believes that the student’s response is insufficient to offset the charge of academic dishonesty, to the extent that the student may be excused, the instructor will inform the student of the sanctions to be recommended or assessed in accordance with Section 3.0 of this policy. All notes and discussions between the student and the faculty member will be kept confidential except as may be relevant in subsequent disciplinary proceedings or any subsequent legal actions. Faculty members are not to publically discuss specifics in the classroom publicity.
2. At the discretion of the instructor, a written report of the infraction and the action taken may be submitted to the VP of Student Services with a copy to the appropriate associate dean.
3. When a student who has been informed in writing of an impending conference to discuss the alleged dishonesty fails to attend, or when the apparent dishonesty is detected near the end of the semester and the instructor makes a good faith effort to contact the student but is unable to do so, the instructor may impose the recommended penalty and make the report called for in Section 2.2 without a conference. In either case, the student’s right to appeal is preserved.
2. Sanctions

There shall be two major classifications of sanctions that may be imposed for violations of this policy: academic and administrative. Academic sanctions will be defined as those actions related to the coursework and grades, which are the province of the instructor. Administrative sanctions concern a student’s status on campus and are acted upon by the VP of Student Services. The imposition of one variety of sanctions (academic or administrative) will not preclude the addition of the other.

1. Academic Sanctions

Faculty are responsible for the type of academic sanction to be applied to students involved in incidents of cheating or plagiarism. Usually a form of "grade modification" will be employed. Before sanctions can be employed, the faculty member must have verified the instances of academic dishonesty by personal observation and/or documentation. In all cases, the violation should be reported to the VP of Student Services. A student may be:

1. Reprimanded orally. A student may be referred for counseling but cannot be required to seek counseling.
2. Failed in the evaluation instrument (paper or exam).
3. Given a reduced course grade, including possible failure of course.
4. Referred for administrative sanctions. A faculty member may choose to refer a student to the VP of Student Services for disciplinary action in lieu of academic sanction or in addition to the academic action the faculty member has taken.
5. Faculty Discretion: Cases involving the careless or inept handling of quoted material but which falls short of the definitions of the acts of cheating and/or plagiarism as defined in items 1.1 and 1.2 of this policy may be dealt with at the discretion of the faculty member concerned. Item 1.1.6 also requires faculty interpretation.
6. Recommended Academic Sanctions: For violations of quoted materials which may fall short of the definitions of cheating and/or plagiarism as noted in 1.1.1, 1.1.3, or 1.22, faculty has the discretion to determine sanctions. This also applies to Item 1.1.6
7. For violation of Section 1.1.2 the recommended sanction shall be 3.1.2, reduction in grade or failure of that evaluation instrument.
8. For violations of Sections 1.1.4 and 1.1.5 it is recommended that the student be referred to the VP of Student Services for administrative sanction in accordance with 3.1.5.
9. For violations of Section 1.2.2 of this policy, the recommended sanction shall be 3.1.3, reduction in course grade, including possible failure of course.

3.2 Administrative Sanctions

As stipulated in the California Administrative Code, Sanction 41301, cheating or plagiarism in connection with an academic program at a campus may warrant expulsion, suspension, probation or a lesser sanction. Administrative action involving academic dishonesty at Gavilan is the responsibility of the VP of Student Services according to the Standards of Student Conduct and Disciplinary and Due Process Procedures.

The VP of Student Services will respond to:

1. referrals from the faculty;

2. flagrant violations of academic standards; and

3. repeat violations as brought to his/her attention by the faculty or through the student reports filed with the VP of Student Services.

The VP of Student Services will notify faculty members involved when action has been taken.

3. Protection of Rights

Nothing in this policy is intended to deny students who come within its scope appropriate "due process" including the right to be informed of the charges, the nature of the evidence supporting the charges, and the right to have a meeting with the faculty member, VP of Student Services, or other decision-makers, at which time statements and evidence on behalf of the student may be submitted. Nor is it intended to deny the right to appeal, through appropriate college channels, any decision resulting from such a meeting.

4.1 Academic sanctions may be appealed through the VP of Student Services in accordance with college policy.

4.2 When disciplinary suspension or expulsion is being recommended as an administrative sanction, the student has the right to a formal impartial hearing by the Gavilan College Board of Trustees (Education Code 66017).

4. Dissemination of Information

5.1 This policy shall be published in the general catalog and the Student Handbook. There shall also be copies of this policy in every department office, in the library, in the faculty handbook, in the lobby of the Admissions and Records Office, and in the office of the VP of Student Services.

5.2 Dissemination of this information shall be the responsibility of the VP of Student Services and the VP of Instruction.

5.3 The VP of Student Services shall submit annually to the ASB and the faculty senate a statistical report on the number and type of infractions and their eventual disposition.

When you register at Gavilan College, you enter into a relationship with the college. There are clear rights and privileges that you receive as a student. There are equally clear responsibilities and obligations that you assume as a student. The college also presumes that you will adhere to acceptable standards of personal conduct.

Highlighted below are behaviors that are considered unacceptable and, therefore, a violation on the part of a student and the college’s actions if these standards are violated.

(Rules of) Student Conduct Handbooks regarding the rights and responsibilities of Gavilan College students are available through the VP of Student Services and in the lobby of the Admissions and Records Office.

Unacceptable behaviors may include, but may not be limited to, the following:

6. Unauthorized entry to and use of college property;

9. Failure to comply with directions of college officials acting in performance of their duties,

In all situations, procedural fair play requires that students be informed in writing within 72 hours of the nature of the charges against them, that they be given a fair opportunity to refute them, that the institution not be arbitrary in its actions, and that there be provisions for an appeal of a decision.

Disciplinary action may be taken as a result of student misconduct. This type of sanction shall be determined by the appropriate college officials or committee.

Penalties are listed in order of the degree of severity, though they need not be applied in this order:

2. Warning – Notice to student(s), orally or in writing, that continuation or repetition of wrongful conduct may be cause for additional disciplinary action.

3. Reprimand – Written statement of violation of a specified regulation, including the possibility of more severe disciplinary action.

Communication and counseling play a primary role in the resolution of student problems. Although the college has both the duty and the power to set standards of scholarship and conduct for students, the college also has a responsibility to protect the students from unfair imposition of serious penalties.

Below are the Gavilan College Board of Trustees’ approved policies, which present a broad vision of the relationship between the college and the student. We have highlighted portions of the college policies that directly relate to students. For a complete copy of the policies, stop by the personnel office or the office of the superintendent/president.

Affirmative Action – The Gavilan Joint Community College District, as a comprehensive public community college, commits itself to a policy of equal opportunity and affirmative action in employment and the provision of service to the public. The district believes that in a multi-racial society public institutions should have policies related to affirmative action that produces a workforce representative of that society.

In order to accomplish the goals of our affirmative action statement, an affirmative action plan has been adopted. This plan will be administered by the superintendent/president and implemented and monitored by the affirmative action officer who reports directly to the superintendent/president.

The Gavilan Joint Community College District will make hiring decisions in accordance with its adopted affirmative action plan; other employment decisions—hiring, compensation, terms and benefits of employment—will be made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or marital status. In addition, the District will, where possible, make accommodations for the physically and mentally disabled.

For purposes of implementation and monitoring the Affirmative Action Program, the board has established a college committee and a District Affirmative Action Advisory Council.

Authority Cited: Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, including amendments and Executive Orders 11246 and 11375; Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and The Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990. (Personnel, Chapter III, 3.01)

Sexual Harassment –Gavilan Joint Community College District expressly forbids sexual harassment of its employees and students by other employees, students or other members of the general public. Examples of behaviors considered to be sexual harassment are given in the District’s Affirmative Action Policy. Sexual harassment is generally limited to affecting an individual’s conditions of employment, advancement or education; it may include purposeful attempts at making the individual’s environment unpleasant and uncomfortable. Sexual harassment occurs when an unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature:

1. is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of an individual’s educational or employment status;
2. is used as a basis for educational or employment decisions affecting such individual; or
3. has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s educational or work performance and creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational or working environment . . . .The sexual harassment complaint procedures are outlined in the Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures Manual.

Additional copies of the procedures can be obtained from the Affirmative Action Officer and the Personnel Office." (Personnel, Chapter III, Section 3.02)

AIDS – "The Gavilan Joint Community College District is committed to providing a safe as well as fair, sensitive and non-discriminatory environment which is in compliance with Federal, State and local restrictions. The Gavilan Joint Community College District will treat all employees and students equally without regard to their HIV-antibody status or the presence of AIDS . . . disease. An individual with AIDS, or who tests positive for the HIV antibody, will not be denied employment or enrollment for instruction in the district as long as he/she is able to perform in accordance with the respective standards of each position. The District will not deny a person who has AIDS, or tests positive for the HIV antibody, any benefits to which he/she is eligible. Persons with AIDS, or who are perceived to have such conditions, are considered protected under state and federal law and shall be provided with accommodations necessary to meet their disability-related needs. A student with AIDS . . . may be served through state-funded Disabled Student Programs and Services if the condition imposes functional limitations that impede access to the educational process. The medical records of a student are confidential and such information may not be related without the written consent of the individual, except as provided by law.

There is no medical necessity to advise co-workers or students of the presence of a person with AIDS or a positive HIV-antibody test. Persons with AIDS or a positive HIV-antibody test result shall not be denied equal access to student unions, cultural or athletic events, dining areas, gymnasium, swimming pools, recreation facilities, or other common areas. Persons with AIDS or a positive HIV-antibody test result shall be given assistance in obtaining referrals to appropriate medical care and counseling.

The Gavilan College Child Development Center shall follow guidelines developed by the Centers for Disease Control for education and foster care of children with AIDS or a positive HIV-antibody test result.

The Gavilan College vice president of student services shall move quickly and effectively to deal with any incident of harassment or psychological or physical abuse inflicted on students or employees who may have or are suspected to have AIDS or a positive HIV-antibody test. The director of Student Health Services will serve as a spokesperson to answer questions about its AIDS policies and will be prepared to address the social questions, civil rights issues, and public health considerations. (Personnel, Section 3.03)

Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace – Gavilan Joint Community College District is committed to providing its employees and students with a drug-free workplace and campus environment. Educational programs shall provide relevant courses, seminars, and lecturers; and student services shall focus on providing guidance and referral for those affected by alcohol and substance abuse. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of alcohol and or any controlled substance is prohibited on Gavilan College property and in any facility or vehicle operated by the college. Violation of this prohibition will result in appropriate action up to and including termination, expulsion or, as permitted by law, may require satisfactory participation in an alcohol or drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program. As used in this policy "drug" and "drugs" refer to controlled substances as defined by state and federal law. (Certificated Personnel, Chapter III, Section 3.04)

Campus Activism – Unregulated activities which tend to interfere with the educational function or could be inimical (harmful) to the welfare of registered students will not be allowed. (Student Personnel, Chapter VI, Section A, 6.A.1)

Loitering –Facility visitation rights by individuals or groups may be withdrawn by the superintendent/president or designee if it is determined that such visitation would be disruptive to the educational process. (Student Personnel, Chapter VI, Section A, 6.A.1.1.)

Demonstrations on or off campus – The right of on or off-campus students or groups to demonstrate in a responsible manner may be permitted upon approval of the superintendent/president or designee who will approve the time, manner, and place. (Student Personnel, Chapter VI, Section A, 6.A.1.4.)

Distribution of Material and Advertising – Material and advertising distribution is governed as follows:

Extemporaneous Expression – The president or designee will establish a specific campus location for free speech expression. Language or actions of prurient nature, violations of district regulations and established law, and displays of material which are libelous or advocacy of illegal actions will not be allowed. (Student Personnel Chapter VI, Section A, 6.A.1.6.)

Smoke-Free Buildings – All individuals at Gavilan College and all Gavilan-owned vehicles are covered by the Smoke-Free Building Policy. Gavilan College supports and assists efforts to stop smoking by providing literature, referrals to community cessation programs and offering periodical campus cessation programs at reduced cost to participants. Implementation of the smoke-free environment policy will be the responsibility of every student, faculty member, staff person and visitor on campus. Smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas of all public buildings, in the outside areas beside building doorways, windows and ventilation air intakes, and in all college-owned vehicles. Tobacco products shall not be sold on campus either through vending machines or campus establishments. (Operations, Chapter V, Section R)