11600 Columbia College Drive  Sonora, California 95370  209·588·5100

                     2007-08 Columbia College Catalog

GENERAL INFORMATION

Small College.  Big Opportunities.
Choose Columbia College whether you're seeking a degree or vocational certificate, planning to transfer to a 4-year university, improving your occupational skills, or simply pursuing an interest or hobby to enrich your life.  There's something for everyone here!
     Earning one of the College's numerous Associate in Arts Degrees, Associate in Science Degrees, Associate in Science (Occupational Education) Degrees, and Certificates of Achievement will help you prepare a career path and increase your opportunities for the future.

     In compliance with the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-542), it is the policy of the Yosemite. Community College District and Columbia College to make available its completion and transfer rates to all current and prospective students.  Beginning in Fall 2003 a cohort of all certificate, degree, and transfer-seeking first-time, full-time students were tracked over a three-year period.  Their completion and transfer rates are listed below.  These rates do not represent the success rates of the entire student population at Columbia College, nor do they account for student outcomes occurring after this three-year tracking period. 
     Based upon the cohort defined above, 30.7 percent attained a certificate or degree or became transfer-prepared during a three-year period, from Fall 2003 to Spring 2006.  Students who are transfer prepared have completed 56 transferable units with a GPA of 2.0 or better.
     Based on the cohort defined above, 24.2 percent transferred to another postsecondary institution, (UC, CSU, or another California Community College) prior to attaining a degree, certificate, or becoming transfer-prepared during a five-semester period, from Spring 2004 to Spring 2006.     

College Activities and Student Life

Library 209.588.5119
     Located in Tamarack Hall, the Columbia College Library is a center for study, class research, and leisure reading.  It welcomes use by students, staff and community residents. 
     Among its collections are nearly 50,000 books, current subscriptions to 250 magazines and six newspapers, brochures, maps, art prints and a variety of electronic databases including full-text magazines and journals, encyclopedias, statistics and other reference sources.  Personal computers are available for use during Library hours, along with a coin-operated photocopier.
      The Library's media collections include 4,000 audio and video recordings of popular, folk, and classical music, local oral history, and a wide variety of documentary and feature films.
      Through the Interlibrary Loan Program, the Columbia College Library can locate and borrow materials which are unavailable on-campus.  The Library's membership in the Central Association of Libraries allows  quick access to the collections of more than 50 libraries for students, community residents and staff.  The Library staff are available for assistance in locating needed materials, whether from local, regional or national locations.
     The Library is open when the College is in session: Monday through Thursday (7:45 am to 8 pm) and on Fridays (7:45 am to 4:30 pm)  It is closed weekends and during school holidays.  Changes to the Library's schedule are posted at the front entrance to the Library, and on the Library's webpage:  http://gocolumbia.edu/library.

Student Organizations
     Those wishing to form a student organization must contact the Student Senate first for procedures, direction and a handbook.

• Only currently enrolled Columbia College students can participate as members of an officially recognized organization.
• An advisor must be present at all meetings and activities.
• Each semester, organizations must request renewal of their official recognition status.

Student Center  209.588.5111
     Located in Manzanita 15, the Student Center is a place for all students to comfortably have discussions, workshops, clubs or Student Senate meetings.  This can all be done in a relaxed environment that fosters academic exploration and thought.  The Center provides students with access to college materials and computers.    

Campus Bulletin Boards  209.588.5109
     Posting of materials on bulletin boards can be done only be students, faculty or staff and must be stamped for approval in advance by the Dean of Learning Support Services.  Posters may be dropped off at Manzanita 14 front desk for approval.

• Posters that promote services or classes for profit (excluding those by other accredited institutions of higher education) cannot be posted.
• Persons posting materials are responsible for its removal immediately after the event.
• All materials will be removed within two weeks of posting date.
• Materials should not be affixed to glass, wood or metal surfaces, and posted only on bulletin boards or easels.
• Individuals or organizations, who do not follow correct posting, will have their materials removed.

College Policies

Definitions
Color or Ethnic Group Identification means possessing the racial, cultural, or linguistic characteristics common to a racial, cultural, or ethnic group or the country of ethnic group from which a person or his or her forebears originated (22 California Administrative Code Section 9821b)

Religion includes all aspects of religious observance, practice and belief, including duties of the clergy or elders.  A belief is religious if sincerely held and, in the scheme of the believer, holds a place analogous to that filled by the deity of those people whose religion may be more orthodox or more widely accepted (22 California Code Section 98220)

Age means how old a person is, or the number of elapsed years from the date of a person's birth (22 California Administrative Code Section 98230b)

Sex discrimination includes:
    Any rule, policy, or practice concerning actual or potential parental, family, or marital status which differentiates on the basis or sex.
     Any rule, policy, or practice concerning disability due to pregnancy, recovery from childbirth or termination of pregnancy, or other psychological conditions related to the capacity to bear children not applied under the same terms and conditions and in the same manner as any other rule, policy, or practice relating to any other temporary disability except as otherwise provided by the Fair Employment Practice Act.
     Any rule, policy, or practice which treats men and women differently for purposes of any program or activity on the basis of aggregate statistical characteristics of men or women, whether founded in fact, belief, or statistical probability is a discriminatory practice.
     Any rule, policy, or practice or incident which conditions the receipt of any benefit upon entering into, or maintaining, a sexual relationship or participation in sexual activity or subjects a person to sexual harassment or intimidation such as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature (22 California Administrative Code Section 98240, 98242, 98244).

Physical or Mental Disability means any physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities.
Disabled person means any person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.

• Submission to conduct which is explicitly or implicitly made a term or a condition of an individual's employment, academic status, or progress.
• Submission to, or rejection of, conduct by an individual which:  is used as the basis of an employment or academic decision; has a negative impact on the individual's work or academic performance; or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work/educational environment.
• Submission to, or rejection of conduct by the individual, which is used as the basis for any decision affecting that individual in regards to benefits, services, honors, programs, or activities available at or through the educational institution. (Education Code Section 212.5).

     The District strongly forbids any form of sexual harassment, including acts of non-employees. Disciplinary action will be taken promptly against any student or employee (supervisory or otherwise) engaging in sexual harassment.

Student Code of Conduct

1. Causing, attempting to cause, or threatening to cause physical injury to another person.
2. Possession, sale or otherwise furnishing any firearm, knife, explosive or other dangerous object, including but not limited to any facsimile firearm, knife or explosive, unless, in the case of possession of any object of this type, the student has obtained written permission to possess the item from a district employee, which is concurred in by the college president.
3. Unlawful possession, use, sale, offer to sell, or furnishing, or being under the influence of, any controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the California Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind; or unlawful possession of, or offering, arranging or negotiating the sale of any drug paraphernalia, as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 11014.5.
4. Committing or attempting to commit robbery or extortion.
5. Causing or attempting to cause damage to district property or to private property on campus
6. Stealing or attempting to steal district property or private property on campus, or knowingly receiving stolen district property or private property on campus.
7. Willful or persistent smoking in any area where smoking has been prohibited by law or by regulation of the college or the district.
8. Committing sexual harassment as defined by law or by district policies or procedures.
9. Engaging in harassing or discriminatory behavior based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex (i.e. gender), martial status or sexual orientation or any other status protected by law.
10. Willful misconduct which results in injury or death to a student or to college personnel or which results in cutting, defacing, or other injury to any real or personal property owned by the district or on campus.
11. Disruptive behavior, willful disobedience, habitual profanity or vulgarity, or the open and persistent defiance of the authority of, or persistent abuse of, college personnel.
12. Cheating, plagiarism (including plagiarism in a student publication), or engaging in other academic dishonesty.
13. Dishonesty; forgery; alteration or misuse of college documents, records, or identification; or knowingly furnishing false information to the district.
14. Unauthorized entry upon or use of college facilities.
15. Lewd, indecent or obscene conduct on district-owned or controlled property, or at district-sponsored or supervised functions.
16. Engaging in expression which is obscene; libelous or slanderous; or which so incites students as to create a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on college premises, or the violation of lawful acts on college premises, or the violation of lawful district administrative procedures, or the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the district.
17. Persistent, serious misconduct where other means of correction have failed to bring about proper conduct.
18. Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, or other college activities, including its public service functions, or any other authorized activities.  Pagers, cellular telephones and other similar electronic devices must be turned off in classrooms and other campus sponsored events unless authorized by an appropriate faculty or staff member.

Misconduct Penalties

Disciplinary Action
     Violators of the Student Code of Conduct are subject to the following types of disciplinary action, which will be administered by appropriate College personnel.

1. Reprimand -- A person receiving a reprimand either oral or written is thereby notified that continued conduct of the type described may result in formal disciplinary action against the student.
2. Instructor Removal -- The instructor may remove a student from his or her class for the day of the misconduct and the next class meeting.
3. Disciplinary Probation -- Formal disciplinary action resulting in any one or all of the following:

             a.  Removal from any Associated Students' organization office held.

             b.  Revocation of the privilege of participating in College and/or student sponsored activities.

4. Disciplinary Suspension -- Formal disciplinary action denying all campus privileges for a specified period of time.  A suspended student is not to occupy any portion of the campus and is denied all College privileges including class attendance, and privileges noted under Disciplinary Probation  for a specified period of time.  There shall be two classes of suspensions:
         a.  The first "summary suspension" is to protect the school from the immediate possibility of disorder or threat to the safety of all students.
          b.  The second  "disciplinary suspension" serves as a penalty against the student as a result of the failure of his or her conduct to meet the standards expected by the College.
5. Expulsion -- Formal action taken by Yosemite Community College District terminating a student's privilege to attend the colleges of the District for disciplinary reasons.

Due Process
     The student disciplinary procedure is an administrative process used to review alleged student conduct violations.  Findings will be based upon a preponderance of the evidence.
     The following due process procedures will be followed:

1. Student will be given written or oral notice of the alleged violation.
2. Student will be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
3. The Vice President for Student Learning or designee will investigate and notify the student of the findings and disposition of the case.
4. The investigation will be completed within 15 days.
5. All disciplined parties will have the right to appeal.

Appeals

1. The student must notify, by phone or in writing, the Dean of Learning Support Services within 24 hours of the notification of finds and disposition, if he/she plans to appeal the decision.
2. The student shall have five (5) days from the date he/she receives notice of the decision to file an appeal with the Dean of Learning Support Services.  Appeal forms are available in the office of the Dean of Learning Support Services.
3. Using the appeal form, the student must submit a concise statement based on new evidence or procedural error in interpretation of the evidence to the President of the College or designee.
4. The student shall receive notice of the determination of the President of the College with ten  days.  The decision of the President shall be final.
   
   The following are not subject to appeal:

          a.  Short-term suspension of five school days or less, and lesser sanctions.

          b.  Short-term removal by a College instructor.

          c.  Disciplinary probation for a period of one year or less.

          d.  Written or verbal reprimand.

Academic Integrity as Defined by the Academic Senate at Columbia College

     The Academic Senate at Columbia College has defined academic integrity and identified possible means for maintaining academic integrity at the College.

Violations

• Cheating - Intentionally using or attempting o use unauthorized materials, information or study aids in any academic exercise; misrepresenting or non-reporting of pertinent information in all forms of work submitted for credit or hours.
• Facilitating Academic Dishonesty - Intentionally or knowingly helping, or attempting to help, another to violate a provision of the institutional code of academic integrity.
• Plagiarism - The deliberate adoption or reproduction of ideas, works or statements of another person as one's own, without acknowledgement.  This includes all group work and written assignments.

1. Academic areas may develop a statement of the application of the Academic Policy in their courses; and
2. Each faculty member is encouraged to include in his/her introduction to a course:

1. A statement of the application of the Academic Integrity Policy within his/her course
2. The statement notifying students that violations of the Academic Integrity Policy will be reported

Consequences
     Consequences for violation of the Academic Integrity Policy may range from partial credit to no credit on an examination or assignment.

Due Process Procedural Safeguards
     Violations of this policy may also violate the Student Code of Conduct.  If this occurs:

1. Student shall be given notice by the faculty member in charge of the class or the activity.
2. Student shall have an opportunity to respond to the allegation.
3. Students shall have the right to appeal to the appropriate Dean of Instructional Services.
4. Violations of the Student Code of conduct will be handled in accordance with the Disciplinary Action described in the Student Code of Conduct.  Discipline may range from reprimand to expulsion.

     Expenses & Fees

1. Telephone Registration and on the College website.

• Personal Check *
• Money Order
• Cash (Do not send cash through the mail.)
• Credit Card - MasterCard, VISA, or Discover Card
• Financial Aid fee waiver and one of the above

2. On-Campus Registration at the Admissions Office

• Personal Check *
• Money Order
• Cash
• Credit Card - MasterCard, VISA, or Discover Card
• Financial Aid fee waiver and one of the above

*Students will be charged $10. for returned checks and $15 for a chageback of a credit card.

• Full-semester classes dropped within the first 2 weeks of the term are eligible for a refund.
• Short-term classes, meeting more than 5 times and 20 hours, are eligible for a refund during the first 10% of the class.  Contact the Admissions & Records Office for class status and refund dates.
• Class refund dates are available online through connectColumbia by clicking on "My Current Schedule" and on class schedules printed at the Admissions and Records Office.
• Students eligible for refunds must obtain a Request for Refund  form from the Admissions & Records Office, Business Office or on the College website.  http://www.gocolumbia.edu (connectColumbia)
• Classes meeting fewer than 5 times and 20 hours are eligible for refunds if the class is dropped prior to the first class meeting.
• Students dropping classes must complete and return the necessary withdrawal forms and Request For Refund form to the Business Office or the Admissions & Records Office before refunds will be granted.
• Students will not be responsible for requesting refunds for classes cancelled by the College.
• If fees or tuition are paid by check, a refund will not be processed until the check has cleared the bank.
• Processing of refunds by the College Business Office takes 6 to 8 weeks.
• Forms are available on campus at the Admissions & Records Office,  Business Office, Calaveras Center or on the College website at http://www.gocolumbia.edu
• In accordance with Yosemite Community College District Policy 5025.2, a ten dollar ($10) administrative processing fee is charged for enrollment refunds except in the case of a class cancelled by the College.  No refunds will be made for a credit balance of $10. or less.
• Refund checks will be mailed or credited to the credit card used for payment.
• Credit balances may be carried and used to pay fees for one academic year (Summer through the following Spring Semester only).  At the culmination of the academic year, credit balances are removed from a student's account (Title V, Section 58508).

Refunds are not automatic.  Exception:  Refunds of fees will automatically be made to students enrolling in classes which are cancelled by the College.

• Discounts at the Manzanita Bookstore (on-campus)
• Discounts at participating local merchants
• Discounts on special events held on-campus
• Discounts at participating local fast food restaurants

Contact the Student Senate Office for further details at 209.588.5270

• You are receiving TANF/CalWORKs, SSI, GA

     Or

• Your 2006 income was below a certain level

     Or

• You are a dependent child of a service-connected disabled or deceased veteran
• Eligible special admit students

To find out if you qualify for a fee waiver you can obtain a simple one-page orange BOGFW application from the Admissions Office, Financial Aid Office, Calaveras Center, or on the website:  http://www.gocolumbia.edu  The completed form must be returned to the Business Office before you register. 

Additionally, if you feel you are low income, but you do not qualify to have your fees waived using the above described method, you may complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also available in the Financial Aid Office.  It is a more complicated application and it takes 8-12 weeks to process.  But if you are found eligible for the waiver, you are entitled to request a refund of the enrollment fees that you have paid.

     Students who receive federal financial aid and withdraw prior to the following dates will be billed for a portion of their financial aids.

   *Note:  These dates are subject to change depending on enrollment in short-term courses and/or programs.

     All repayments will be reported electronically to the U.S. Department of Education and students are no longer eligible to receive any additional financial aid until: