The role of Iḷisaġvik College is to encourage people of all ages to develop their skills and talents differently, according to individual abilities and interests, so that collectively they contribute to the continuum of democracy. College policies, procedures, and regulations are formulated to guarantee each student's freedom to learn and to protect the constitutional rights of students and others.
The concept of rights and freedoms, no matter how basic or widely accepted, carries with it corresponding responsibilities. Students and other members of the College community enjoy the same constitutional and civil rights guaranteed to all citizens; at the same time, they are subject to the laws of the nation, the State of Alaska, and the local community. All members of the College community have a responsibility to protect and maintain an academic climate in which the freedom to learn is enjoyed by all. To this end, certain basic regulations and policies have been developed to govern the behavior of students as members of the College community.
Iḷisaġvik College adheres to the “Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students” adopted by a diverse number of higher education organizations. These rights are outlined below:
- Freedom of Access to Higher Education: Iḷisaġvik College is committed to a policy of educational equality and conducts all educational programs and activities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or disabilities.
- Protection of Freedom of Expression: Students should feel free to take exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled.
- Protection against Improper Academic Evaluation: Students should have protection against prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation, but they are responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled.
- Protection against Improper Disclosure: Information about student views, beliefs, and political associations that professors/instructors acquire in the course of their work should be considered confidential. Iḷisaġvik College believes that protecting students against improper disclosure of confidential information is a serious professional obligation. Faculty and staff are encouraged to be constantly alert and sensitive to matters normally considered confidential.
- Confidentiality of Student Records: In keeping with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), students have the right to expect that information in their student education records will be kept confidential. Such information will be released by the College only in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Please refer to the “Institutional Policies and Regulations” section of this handbook for more information on FERPA.
- Disability Accommodations: Iḷisaġvik College will provide a learning environment in which no student will be subjected to unlawful discrimination based on disability. No otherwise qualified individual will be denied reasonable access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by the College because of disability. To ensure that its programs and activities are accessible to all students, the College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. A reasonable accommodation is one that is consistent with the academic standards of the College and does not require a substantial course or program alteration. The College is committed to working with students directly and individually throughout the accommodations process.
Iḷisaġvik College will make reasonable accommodations to allow students with disabilities to attend classes. Inquiries should be directed to: Iḷisaġvik College, P.O. Box 749, Barrow, AK 99723 or by calling 907-852-1819 or via email at SupportServices@ilisagvik.edu. Iḷisaġvik partners with the Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope (ICAS) Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Individuals with disabilities, including difficulty learning math or English, may contact ICAS at 907- 852-2448 for appointments or in person at 5146 Herman St. Barrow, AK 99723.
Students with impaired sensory, manual, language or processing skills will be allowed to use educational auxiliary aids, as appropriate. Such aids may include videotaped or audiotaped texts, interpreters, note-takers, tape recorders, adaptive classroom equipment and other similar services or equipment. Modification of academic requirements, if necessary or appropriate, may include changes to the length of time permitted for completion of degree requirements, substitution of specific required courses, and adaptations to the manner in which courses are conducted or learning is demonstrated. The Associate Dean of Students must approve any such modifications. Requirements essential to the program of instruction or related to licensing requirements are not regarded as discriminatory.
Students are encouraged to contact Student Services to discuss their need for reasonable accommodations. The documents submitted by students seeking services to accommodate their disabilities will be managed by the College to ensure confidentiality; these documents will remain separate from your educational record to ensure privacy. Such information will be released by the College only in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
If students have questions regarding reasonable accommodations, please see the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) policy available in the Student Services. - Freedom of Association: Students should be free to organize and join associations to promote their common interests.
- Freedom of Inquiry and Expression: Students and student organizations should be free to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately in an orderly manner that does not disrupt college operations.
- Student Participation in Institutional Government: Students should be free, individually and collectively, to express their views on issues of institutional policy and on matters of general interest to the student body.
- Exercise of Rights of Citizenship: Students should enjoy the freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and the right of petition in the academic community, keeping in mind they are subject to the obligations which accrue to them by virtue of this membership.
- Procedural Standards in Disciplinary Proceedings: Students will be entitled to a fair disciplinary process as outlined in the grievance procedures sections of this handbook.
- Freedom from Harassment and Violence: Harassment and violence are expressly forbidden. Harassment includes: physical and verbal abuse; sexual harassment; intimidation; and other conduct, including hazing, which unreasonably interferes with or creates a hostile or offensive learning, living, or working environment. Violence includes any verbal, written or physical aggression that is intended to control or is capable of causing death, serious bodily injury or harm to oneself or others, or damage to property.