Consumer information

Southwest Tech Student Services

Southwest Technical College’s Student Services team is here to serve you. The topics on this page explain students’ rights, present disclosures, and generally inform. For more information, please visit the Southwest Tech Student Services office on our main campus at 757 West 800 South in Cedar City, or call (435) 586-2899.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C.§ 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are “eligible students.”

  • Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student’s education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.
  • Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.
  • Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student’s education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without concent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):
    • School officials with legitimate educational interest;
    • Other schools to which a student is transferring;
    • Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
    • Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
    • Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
    • Accrediting organizations;
    • To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
    • Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
    • State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific state law.

Schools may disclose, without consent, “directory” information such as a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a PTA bulletin, student handbook, or newspaper article) is left to the discretion of each school.

For additional information, you may call 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (voice). Individuals who use TDD may use the Federal Relay Service.

Or you may contact the following address:

Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-8520

Non-Discrimination Policy

  1. Nondiscrimination: Southwest Tech is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination. No otherwise qualified person may be excluded from participation in or be subjected to discrimination in any course, program or activity because of race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability.

In compliance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vocational Amendments of 1976 and the American with Disabilities Act, College programs and activities are open to all qualified students without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. Inquiries concerning Southwest Tech’s policies, compliance with applicable laws, statutes, and regulations (such as Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504) may be directed to:

James Mullenaux, Vice President of Student Services
Southwest Technical College
757 West 800 South, Cedar City, UT 84720
435-586-2899
jmullenaux@stech.edu

Inquiries about the laws and about compliance may also be made to the Office for Civil Rights for Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming located at:

Denver Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
César E. Chávez Memorial Building
1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310
Denver, CO 80204-3582
Telephone: (303) 844-5695
Facsimile: (303) 844-4303
Email: OCR.Denver@ed.gov

Shopping Sheet

Shopping Sheets are provided on an individualized basis. Please request a customized report for your circumstances at Student Services.

Ethics Point Hotline

The Utah System of Technical Colleges (USTC) recognizes its obligation to its students, faculty, staff, and friends to maintain the highest ethical standards in its operations. To help meet this goal, the USTC has established this confidential reporting mechanism, the Ethics Hotline. Via the Hotline, you can alert us to activities that may involve criminal, unethical, or otherwise inappropriate behavior in violation of USTC policies or the public’s trust. We encourage your use of the Hotline.

The USTC Ethics Hotline is hosted by a private contractor, EthicsPoint. EthicsPoint will not divulge the identity of a hotline reporter without the reporter’s consent.

Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws

Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement.

Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorney’s fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504 and 505.

Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense. For more information, please see the website of the U.S. Copyright Office at copyright.gov.

For additional information on copyright policies at the Southwest Technical College, please click on the following link: Student Conduct Policy and Procedures.

Peer to Peer File Sharing

It is illegal to reproduce and distribute copyrighted music, movies, television shows, books, articles, pictures, software, and other copyrighted materials specifically through the use of peer-to-peer (P2P) networks.

Annual Notice to Students, Faculty, and Staff

As a condition of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), and other statutes that require postsecondary educational institutions to report and disclose certain consumer information, all students, faculty, and staff are being provided this Annual Notice.  These notification and disclosure requirements cover a wide range of issues.  The purpose of consumer information is to help students and employees make informed decisions regarding their education or employment.  This year’s Annual Notice can be found at this link – it is also available in paper format upon request at Southwest Tech Student Services.

Smoking/Drugs/Alcohol Policy

Smoking is not permitted in the building or on the campus grounds because of our physical proximity to Cedar High school, or to other public schools near our Instructional Service Centers. Southwest Tech does not permit the illegal use of drugs by its students. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action and to prosecution by local law enforcement authorities. The possession and consumption of alcohol is also prohibited.

In addition, Southwest Tech has adopted and enforces a drug and alcohol-free workplace policy. Southwest Tech shall provide a safe and productive work and educational environment that is free from the effects of the possession, use, and distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol. A copy of this policy is available in Student Services.

For community help, see a college counselor or try the following resources:

1.800.Alcohol

1.888.567.TRUTH (Tobacco)

1.800.Cocaine

1.800.342.Aids (Spanish)

1.800.Aids.TTY.TDD

Campus Security/Safety Information/Crime Statistics

In accordance with Title II of the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-542), the following report is issued by Southwest Technical College.

Click here for the 2024 Annual Security Report

Voter Registration

The Southwest Technical College makes a good faith effort in distributing Utah Voter Registration forms. Forms are available in Student Services. You can also register to vote on the Internet by clicking this link.

Why Should I Register?

A vote is your voice. For your voice to be heard, you must register to vote. It is your right and your responsibility. Our elected officials determine much concerning our quality of life: taxes, economic regulation, and the educational system. Don’t let someone else choose your elected officials for you. The biggest election issues often directly affect the youth and will impact life for years to come. The only way democracy works is if citizens, young and old, are active participants.

What are the requirements?

You must be at least 18 years old on or before the next election.

You must be a citizen of the United States.

You must be a resident of Utah* for at least 30 days before the election.

*An applicant is considered a resident of Utah if they have their principal place of residence within Utah and intends to continue to reside within Utah indefinitely.

Vaccinations Policy

It is the policy of the Southwest Technical College that students entering into the Allied Health Professions programs will undergo the necessary vaccinations required of that program. For details, please see the program web pages for individual program requirements.

Other Resources

Student Services is available to assist with all your campus-related needs. In the event you need additional support, we have compiled a list of resources for students.

When facing a significant need, locating available and appropriate resources can be difficult, frustrating, and can often sap your time and energy. United Way 2-1-1 is here to share our connections and expertise with you so that you can quickly and easily find the information and resources you need. One of the fastest ways we can connect you to resources is by dialing 2-1-1 to talk with an Information Specialist. Calls are free and confidential.

Utah’s 2-1-1 has a variety of other options to help you find the assistant you need.

Check the Recursos en Español to find the lists translated into Spanish.