Student Rights and Responsibilities

Admission into Albany Technical College is voluntary. As an open-door institution, any individual who has the ability to benefit from the College’s programs can be admitted. Students are entitled to the rights and protection given to all citizens by the laws of the community. At the same time, students are also subject to all laws and their enforcement within this community. Violators of civil or criminal laws will be subject to penalties administered by legal authorities. Likewise, school discipline will be initiated when students violate college rules and regulations. This policy applies to all persons who actively enroll at the college for credit or non-credit coursework, special training programs, workshops, seminars, as well as high school students approved to take classes on the campuses.

Federal and state laws provide individuals with reasonable expectation of privacy in addition to freedom of unreasonable search and seizure of property. Such guarantees are not unlimited, and must be balanced by the College’s responsibility to protect health, safety, and welfare of all students.

Students have the right to privacy of their educational records. The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U. S. Department of Education. These rights transfer to the students or former students who have reached the age of 18 or who are attending college beyond high school. Schools may disclose, without consent, “directory” type information such as student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance unless parents or students request that the college not disclose directory information about them.