3 .+ Table of Contents Disclaimer .......................................................................................................................................... 8 Accreditation ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Contact Information ............................................................................................................................ 8 Affiliations .......................................................................................................................................... 9 President’s Welcome ......................................................................................................................... 10 Board of Trustees ............................................................................................................................. 11 History of Texas Southmost College ................................................................................................... 14 Texas Southmost College Strategic Plan ............................................................................................. 16 Vision Statement ................................................................................................................... 16 Mission Statement ................................................................................................................. 16 Role and Scope ..................................................................................................................... 16 Values .................................................................................................................................. 16 Strategic Goals...................................................................................................................... 17 Strategic Priorities ................................................................................................................. 17 Central Administration ....................................................................................................................... 18 Notice to Students ............................................................................................................................ 19 Statement of Equal Opportunity ............................................................................................. 19 Rights of Individuals with Disabilities ...................................................................................... 19 Statement on Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco, and other Substances ......................................... 19 Statement on Firearms .......................................................................................................... 19 Sexual Harassment Policy ...................................................................................................... 20 Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment ................................................................................... 20 Religious Holy Days ............................................................................................................... 20 Gainful Employment .............................................................................................................. 20 Students Subject to Additional Tuition and Fees ...................................................................... 20 Records and the Annual FERPA Notification to Students .......................................................... 21 Notification of Death ............................................................................................................. 22 Student Right to Know-Graduation Statistics ........................................................................... 22 Student Right to Know-Crime Statistics ................................................................................... 22 1 The American Opportunity Tax Credit ..................................................................................... 22 Lifetime Learning Credit ........................................................................................................ 22 Selective Service ................................................................................................................... 22 Solomon Amendment ............................................................................................................ 23 General Regulations .......................................................................................................................... 23 Administrative Withdrawal ..................................................................................................... 23 Change of Address ................................................................................................................ 23 Official Communications ........................................................................................................ 23 Use of Legal Name ................................................................................................................ 23 Use of Student ID Number .................................................................................................... 23 Discrimination Complaints ...................................................................................................... 24 Student Rights and Responsibilities .................................................................................................... 24 Student Code of Conduct ....................................................................................................... 25 Academic Calendar ............................................................................................................................ 25 Admission ......................................................................................................................................... 31 General Admission Requirements ........................................................................................... 31 Admissions Classifications .................................................................................................................. 31 Checklist of Application Materials ........................................................................................... 38 Residency ............................................................................................................................. 38 Guidelines for Completing the ApplyTexas Application ............................................................. 39 Admission/Registration Holds ............................................................................................................. 40 Admission Appeal Procedures ............................................................................................................ 40 Assessment and Placement Testing .................................................................................................... 40 Testing Requirements for Mathematics, English, and Reading Restricted Courses...................... 40 Approved Exemptions and Waivers ........................................................................................ 41 TSI Placement Guide 2020-2021 ............................................................................................ 42 Academic Fresh Start ........................................................................................................................ 45 Academic Advising ............................................................................................................................ 45 Transfer Credit.................................................................................................................................. 46 Statement of Principles on the Acceptance of Credit During an Emergency ............................... 47 Transfer Transcript Evaluation ............................................................................................... 47 Military Transfer .................................................................................................................... 48 2 Transfer Credit Evaluation for Students Submitting Transcripts from Foreign Institutions ........... 48 Transfer Dispute Resolution ................................................................................................... 48 Transcript Request ............................................................................................................................ 48 External Standardized Examinations ................................................................................................... 48 Tuition and Fees ............................................................................................................................... 50 Tuition Refund Schedule ........................................................................................................ 51 Payment Information ........................................................................................................................ 52 Installment Payment Plan ...................................................................................................... 52 Financial Aid ..................................................................................................................................... 52 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) .................................................................... 53 Applying for Financial