Welcome to the Academy Experience!
Welcome to the Academy experience at the Kirkwood Linn County Regional Center! We are very excited that you
have chosen to begin/continue your college experience with us.
In this packet of information, you will find important information regarding your experience at the Regional Center.
Please keep this information for your files. You will be held accountable to all policies outlined here.
Index of Policies:
College Credit in High School Student Commitment
Kirkwood Academic Calendar 2015-2016
Concurrent Credit in High School Student Conduct Policy
Procedures and Guidelines Summary for Responsible Use of Information Technology
Class Attendance Policy
Regional Center Inclement Weather Cancellation and Delay Policies
Kirkwood Authorization and Release
Disability Accommodation Services for High School Students Enrolled in Kirkwood
Community College Classes
Select for Success: The Right Students for the Right Reasons
Additional Information to Consider
Student Records Policy
College Credit in High School Important Information & Resources
Academic Calendar
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Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions regarding your experience.
Regards,
Your Friends at Linn Regional
Linn County Regional Center
Kirkwood Community College
319-398-1052
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College Credit in High School Student Commitment
Students participating in College Credit in High School Career Academy programs are making a year-long commitment
to the Kirkwood Regional Center. Once a student attends mandatory orientation their registration will be processed
and attendance in the program is expected. ​
Should schedule changes arise after orientation Kirkwood Regional staff
th​
must be notified by high school district officials prior to May 15​
. It is at this time in May that final decisions will be
made to schedule and run career academy programs based on enrollment numbers. During the month of June
students will be mailed their official class schedule with notification of final academy placement. If an extreme
circumstance should arise in which a student needs to drop a course after it has begun they will receive a “W” on
their official college credit transcript, indicating the course was withdrawn from. No high school or college credit will
be awarded.
Kirkwood Academic Calendar
Kirkwood Regional Center classes follow Kirkwood’s academic calendar. Students are expected to be in class when
Kirkwood is in session. There may be days that Kirkwood is in session but a local school district is not. High School
Career Academy students are still expected to attend classes these days. ​
(A copy of the academic calendar has been
included at the end of this document.)
Concurrent Credit in High School Student Conduct Policy
Students choosing to earn college credit while in high school must be in good standing at their respective high school
in order to enroll in and attend Kirkwood Community College Concurrent Credit in High School (CCHS) Programs.
Students enrolled to earn Kirkwood Community College credit must abide by the school handbook of the local school
district, as well as the rules and policies spelled out in the Kirkwood Community College Student Handbook, found
online at (​
www.kirkwood.edu/studentpolicies​
). Additional specific program requirements may also be outlined by
the Kirkwood Academic Department.
Kirkwood Community College is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all students, faculty, staff and
visitors. Student conduct that interferes or disrupts effective instruction or safe classroom operation will be
addressed. Kirkwood staff can remove students from Kirkwood property or programs for misconduct.
Process for Misconduct Violations
Level 1: Incident Documentation
a. Immediate response by instructor to acknowledge and stop the misconduct with student.
b. Written documentation of the observable behavior is shared with high school and college personnel,
including Kirkwood’s Dean of Students within 24 hours of the incident.
c. Instructor meeting with student and a second party (staff member) to review with student the
violation of misconduct and the positive steps for moving forward. Acknowledgement that further
violation will result in a meeting with all interested parties (student, instructor, district and Kirkwood
staff, parents, etc) for discussion. (If possible this meeting will occur prior to the next scheduled class
meeting.)
d. Student and instructor sign off on acknowledgement of behavior issue and steps for improvement.
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Level 2: Meeting with all interested parties
a. Second violation of misconduct with a student results in a meeting scheduled by Kirkwood to review
action plan. Kirkwood staff will be present, as well as high school district staff. High School will inform
and include parents at this level of the discussion if they choose.
b. Depending on the violation, Kirkwood can remove the student from the class or program at this step.
The goal is to clearly define expectations for moving forward. Students at Level 2 should note that any
future incident will result in removal from the class or program.
Level 3: Removal from CCHS program
If removal occurs within the parameters of the Kirkwood withdrawal date, it is the student’s responsibility to work
with high school personnel to withdraw; otherwise removal may result in a failing grade on the student’s
Kirkwood Community College transcript.
Procedures and Guidelines Summary for Responsible Use of Information
Technology
Policy
College Information Technology facilities and accounts are to be used for college-related activities for which they are
intended and authorized.
User Responsibilities
If you use the College’s Information Technology resources or facilities, you have the following responsibilities:
● The software made available by the College has been licensed by the College for your use. As a result, its use
may be subject to certain limitations.
● Use College owned microcomputers and advanced workstations for College related projects only.
College Responsibilities
Access to the College’s Information Technology facilities is a privilege granted to College students, faculty, and staff.
The College reserves the right to extend, limit, restrict, or deny computing privileges and access to its information
resources.
Misuse of Information Technology and Information Resource Privileges
The College characterizes misuse of information technology and information resource privileges as unethical and
unacceptable and as just cause for taking disciplinary action. Misuse of information, technology and information
resource privileges include, but are not restricted to, the following:
● Attempting to modify or remove computer equipment or other equipment supporting information
technology, software, or peripherals without proper authorization. i.e., the installation or removal of
software, peripherals, cables, or any other equipment from the workstation or the network.
● Accessing computers, other equipment supporting information technology, computer software, computer
data or information, or networks without proper authorization, regardless of whether the computer is owned
by the College. (That is, if you abuse the networks to which the College belongs, or the computers at other
sites connected to those networks, the College will treat this matter as an abuse of your Kirkwood computing
privileges.)
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● Circumventing or attempting to circumvent normal resource limits, logon procedures, and security
regulations.
● Using computing facilities, computer accounts, computer data, or other information resources for purposes
other than those for which they were intended or authorized.
● Using College Information Technology resources for commercial purposes, or non-College related activities
without written authorization from the College.
● Sending fraudulent computer mail, breaking into another user’s electronic mailbox, or voice mailbox, or
reading someone else’s electronic mail without his or her permission.
● Sending any fraudulent electronic transmission, including but not limited to fraudulent requests for
confidential information, fraudulent submission of electronic purchase requisitions or journal vouchers, and
fraudulent electronic authorization or purchase requisitions or journal vouchers.
● Violating any software license agreement or copyright, including copying or redistributing copyrighted
computer software, data, or reports without proper, recorded authorization.
● Violating the property rights of copyright holders who are in possession of computer generated data, reports,
or software.
● Using the College’s computing resources, voice mailboxes and telephones to harass or threaten other users.
● Taking advantage of another user’s naiveté or negligence to gain access to any computer account, telephone
account, data, software, or file that is not your own and for which you have not received explicit authorization
to access.
● Physically interfering with other users’ access to the College’s computing facilities.
● Encroaching on others’ use of the College’s computers (e.g., disrupting others’ computer use by excessive
game playing; sending frivolous or excessive messages, either locally or off-campus (including electronic chain
letters and unauthorized electronic “bulk” mailing); printing excess copies of documents, files, data, or
programs; modifying system facilities, operating systems, or disk partitions; attempting to crash or tie up a
College computer; damaging or vandalizing College computing facilities, equipment, software, or computer
files) attempting to degrade system performance or capability.
● Using accounts assigned for another’s exclusive use.
● Using Kirkwood’s computing resources to copy, generate or transmit obscene materials, or making obscene
files publicly accessible.
● Disclosing or removing proprietary information, software, printed output or magnetic media without the
explicit permission of the owner.
● Posting credit card numbers or passwords in publicly accessible locations on computer systems.
● Reading other users’ data, information, files, or programs on a display screen, as printed output, or via
electronic means, without the owner’s explicit permission.
User Confidentiality and System Integrity
The College will keep automatic logs of user activity for accounting, allocation of resources and facility utilization,
however the College will not normally monitor individual usage of any general facility. The College reserves the right
to monitor and record the usage of all facilities if threatening or abusive behavior has been reported. The College has
the right to use information gained in this way in disciplinary or criminal proceedings, as permitted by Federal and
State Law.
*This information is an interpretation: all other information in this document is directed from the Kirkwood Community College Board approved
Policy and Procedures.
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Class Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend all sessions of classes for which they are enrolled. Absences shall in no way
lessen student responsibility for meeting the requirements of any class. Students are expected to know the
attendance policy of each of their instructors. ​
Failure to abide by an instructor’s attendance policy may
adversely impact their grade.
Class Attendance Policy
Learning is central to our work at Kirkwood Community College. Faculty members use educational experiences to
facilitate learning, and students learn by engaging in those experiences. Attendance and engagement in all scheduled
classes is regarded as integral to learning and is expected of all students.
Kirkwood faculty members identify expectations for learning and attendance in their course syllabi. Students are
accountable for the learning outcomes for each session, including those sessions that have been missed. Assessments
of learning that occur during an absence may or may not be made up, depending on the policies of the instructor and
the nature of the absence.
High school students taking Kirkwood classes at one of Kirkwood’s Regional Education Centers will be held
to this same attendance policy
Absences that result from participation in your high school or Kirkwood- sponsored activities need to be
communicated in advance with your instructor for guidance. For all other absences, authorization of an
excuse is the province of the individual faculty member and subject to the standard appeal process.
Regional Center Inclement Weather Cancellation and Delay Policies
● If Kirkwood closes due to inclement weather, students should not come to the Regional Center.
● If Kirkwood has a morning delay due to inclement weather then the morning career academy and companion
course will be cancelled. Students enrolled in the afternoon career academy will attend as normal.
● If Kirkwood closes early due to inclement weather, depending on the decided upon closing time, the
afternoon career academy and companion course may be cancelled.
● If Kirkwood is open, but the “home” school district [the Cedar Rapids School District] closes due to weather
then students from all school districts will not attend the Regional Center. The only exception would be a
cancellation due to heat. Because the regional center is air conditioned, students would be expected to
attend.
● If a local district (other than the home district) closes due to inclement weather, but Kirkwood remains open,
then students from that district would not be required to attend that day at the Regional Center but should
communicate with their instructor about their absence and what they missed. The only exception would be a
cancellation due to heat. Because the regional center is air conditioned, students would be expected to
attend.
● To Recap:
o STUDENTS SHOULD NOT COME TO THE KIRKWOOD REGIONAL CENTER WHEN ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING HAPPEN:
▪ Kirkwood is closed due to inclement weather
▪ The “home” school district is closed due to inclement weather (except excessive heat)
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▪ Your school is closed due to inclement weather (except excessive heat)
Note: There may be occasions in which students will be asked to attend make-up sessions when there have been a
large number of cancellations due to inclement weather.
Kirkwood Alert
Kirkwood Alert is your connection to real-time emergency information, updates, instructions on where to go, what to
do or what not to do, who to contact and other important information. While Kirkwood Alert is a free service, your
wireless carrier may charge you a ​
fee​
to receive messages on your cellphone. To be notified of Kirkwood closings,
delays, etc. please register for Kirkwood Alert at ​
www.kirkwood.edu/alert
Note: The Kirkwood Alert only notifies when Kirkwood closes, not when concurrent credit classes at the Regional
Centers are cancelled due to the “home district” closing.
Kirkwood Authorization and Release
The student hereby gives permission and authorization to Kirkwood Community College and its designees, agents and
applicable media vendors to use and reproduce any still photographs, video tape or any other media forms that
include my name or likeness, and use or reproduce any recording or other media form that includes my voice, in any
approved Kirkwood Community College publication, Web site, pod cast, audio recording, promotional materials,
video medium (including but not limited to video clips) or any other medium. The student further agrees that
Kirkwood Community College is authorized and permitted to provide such media forms of my name, likeness or voice
to Kirkwood Community College Foundation for any approved Foundation media use as described above. The student
releases and hold harmless Kirkwood Community College, Kirkwood Community College Foundation and their
designees, agents and applicable media vendors from any and all claims of libel, slander, invasion of the right of
privacy or publicity, or any other claim based on the use of my name, likeness or voice, and any and all damages, costs
and expenses that may directly or indirectly arise from the use of my name, likeness or voice
IF UNDER 18, PARENTAL CONSENT IS REQUIRED The parent/guardian hereby gives permission and authorization to
Kirkwood Community College and its designees to use and reproduce any still photography, video tape, audio tape or
motion picture that includes my son or daughter’s name, voice or likeness in any Kirkwood approved publication,
print advertising, promotional materials, Web site or any other medium. The parent/guardian releases Kirkwood
Community College, its designees and assignees from any and all claims for damages of libel, slander, invasion of the
right of privacy or publicity or any other claim based on the use of my son or daughter’s name, likeness or voice.
Disability Accommodation Services for High School Students Enrolled in Kirkwood
Community College Classes
Provision of disability accommodation services to high school students enrolled in Kirkwood Community College
classes are provided in accordance with policies and procedures for ADA accommodation services provided for all
Kirkwood students.
Procedures to Receive Accommodations for Kirkwood Classes
Complete the online ADA application using the directions below. If a paper application is needed, copies are available
at all Kirkwood locations or from the Learning Services office on main campus (2063 Cedar Hall). ​
NOTE: Current
documentation of a disability needs to be submitted with the application form. This documentation should include
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your most recent IEP/504 plan or other documentation provided by a medical professional.
Instructions for ADA Application On-Line Form
1. Go to ​
www.kirkwood.edu​
/learningservices
2. Click on ‘Disability Accommodation Services’
3. Click on ‘online application form’
4. Answer all the questions then click on ‘Submit’. The application is sent directly to the Learning Services office
on main campus.
Once the documentation is provided to the Learning Services office, a Kirkwood ADA case manager will be assigned.
The student will receive a letter with the name and contact information of their ADA case manager. Every effort will
be made to assign a case manager at the Kirkwood location where the class is taken to ensure easy access for
meetings.
The student is responsible for contacting the case manager to develop the accommodation plan. The case manager
and the student will work together to determine which reasonable accommodations can be provided in the college
class. Once the accommodation plan is written, the student will present the accommodation form to the Kirkwood
instructor for their signature. The case manager, student and instructor have the option of meeting to discuss the
actions needed to ensure the accommodations are provided as specified on the form. If the student is under the age
of 18, a parent or guardian needs to sign the accommodation plan. The case manager can provide the
parent/guardian a copy of the accommodation plan with all the signatures if there is a FERPA waiver or Release of
Information Form on file.
Students, parents and high school staff should be aware that modifications in curriculum or delivery of instruction
provided at the high school may not be considered a reasonable accommodation in the college setting.
Select for Success: The Right Students for the Right Reasons
As defined by the Iowa Department of Education, Senior Year Plus is an important part of high school reform efforts in
Iowa. Through these programs, high school students are provided rigorous opportunities for advanced learning. To
st​
this end, Kirkwood partners with area school districts to prepare students to learn essential 21​
century skills and
earn college credit through postsecondary learning options, concurrent enrollment, and Career Academies. Iowa law
requires students, instructors, and institutions to meet certain criteria to be eligible to participate in Senior Year Plus
programming.
To participate, students must:
● Satisfy Kirkwood Community College prerequisites, which may also include a satisfactory placement score for
Reading, Writing, and Math indicated by Compass Placement Exam and/or ACT scores prior to registration
Arts and Sciences, Business Exploration, Criminal Justice, Education & Pre-Professional Academies
To participate in these academies students must demonstrate proficiency in each of the three academic areas – Math,
Science and Reading – as indicated by Iowa Assessment Testing scores below. Students must also satisfy Kirkwood
Community College prerequisites, which may include a satisfactory placement score for Reading, Writing, and Math
indicated by Compass Placement Exam and/or ACT scores prior to registration.
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● If a student is not proficient in one or more of the above content areas, the school board may establish
alternative but equivalent qualifying performance measures.
All other Academies
● Participation in all other Career Academies is not based on proficiency on Iowa Assessment scores. Students
will need to satisfy Kirkwood Community College prerequisites, which may include a satisfactory placement
score for Reading, Writing, and Math indicated by Compass Placement Exam and/or ACT scores prior to
registration.
Additional Indicators of Success:
Academic Skills or Standing:
● Satisfactory attendance record
● Completes all assignments by due date, including assigned readings
● Demonstrates self-motivation as a learner
● Applies classroom learning to cases, observations, and service learning
● Has a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in academic courses
Personal Traits/Dispositions:
● Demonstrates respect for others
● Exhibits intellectual curiosity and openness to new ideas
● Works well as part of a team
● Demonstrates honesty and ethical decision-making
● Willingness to devote several hours each week outside of the class to studying, reviewing, and preparing for
concurrent credit coursework
Maturity:
● Demonstrates self-advocacy & communication of needs
● Successfully manages academic, work, extracurricular & other commitments
● Takes responsibility for their learning and success
Still wondering if college credit career academies would be a good fit for you? Check out
www.kirkwood.edu/rcfaq​
for additional information and frequently asked questions.
Additional Information to Consider
● Academy students will be in a classroom environment that may include discussions, readings or visual
materials depicting adult topics and should be mature enough to be comfortable, to participate freely during
these activities, and to conform to the same performance standards as any other college student as set forth
in course outlines and syllabi. Academy students may be interacting socially with adult college students and
Kirkwood Community College is not responsible for these social interactions.
● Academy students will be treated as if he/she were an adult college student, meaning they will be subject to
the rules, regulations, and policies of the Kirkwood Community College. It is the responsibility of the student
to become familiar with the policies and procedures outlined in the student handbook, as well as the student
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support services available to ensure a successful postsecondary experience. Kirkwood will extend no special
considerations to academy students.
● As a result of the Federal Education Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, parents of academy students have
no inherent rights to inspect their student’s education records, regardless of the age of the student. The right
to inspect is limited solely to the student. Records may be released to parents only under the following
circumstances: with the written consent of the student and/or in compliance with a lawfully issued (by a
judge or attorney) subpoena.
● Kirkwood Community College and its employees, faculty, agents, students and trustees shall not be
responsible for the supervision and individual monitoring of academy students while in attendance at
Kirkwood.
Student Records Policy
At the postsecondary level, ownership of education records belongs to the student. Once a person officially registers
and attends a postsecondary class, they are a student, regardless of their age. Parents have no rights under FERPA to
their student’s postsecondary education records. Kirkwood can release the student’s education records to the
student, to the high school, and as authorized by the student by completing and signing a Consent for Release of
Education Record form (​
www.kirkwood.edu/onestopforms​
). Kirkwood’s complete Student Records policy can be
found at ​
www.kirkwood.edu/site/index.php?p=32309​
.
College Credit in High School Important Information and Resources
As a high school student taking college credit courses through Kirkwood Community College, there are many
resources available to you to aid in your educational success. College policies and rules also apply to you, so please be
aware of your rights and responsibilities by exploring the information provided in the links below.
● Academic Calendar – ​
http://www.kirkwood.edu/calendar
o Find semester start dates, college holiday, and other important dates and deadlines.
● Kirkwood Student Handbook – ​
http://www.kirkwood.edu/studentpolicies
o Important information regarding Kirkwood policies, rules and services. Each student is responsible for
being familiar with information within the student policies handbook. Failure to read the regulations
will not be considered as an excuse for noncompliance.
● Student Technology Resources – ​
http://tinyurl.com/KirkwoodTechResources
o Explore information about student email, tutoring, and more.
● Regional Center Frequently Asked Questions – ​
http://www.kirkwood.edu/rcfaq
o Find additional information about grades, attendance, terminology, and more.
1. Study Tips - – ​
http://www.kirkwood.edu/studyskills
o Explore this page for study tips and strategies, resources, and assessments
● Kirkwood Center for Online Writing – ​
http://www.kirkwood.edu/cow
o Submit your papers to Kirkwood English Faculty for assistance, brush up on grammar rules, APA and
MLA citing of sources and more.
● Nurse Aide Resources – ​
http://www.kirkwood.edu/nurseaide
o Resources specific to Nurse Aid topics
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2015-16 Academic Calendar
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