Understanding Your Student Rights and Protections
We take your privacy, safety, and other rights seriously. All Maricopa Community College students are protected by multiple laws and policies to safeguard their privacy and prevent sexual harassment and discrimination. We also make every effort to accommodate qualified disabilities, as well as religious or sincerely held beliefs, and respond to student complaints, concerns, and unique situations with appropriate solutions.
Please review your rights, our responsibilities to students, and available resolution resources.
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records, restricting the disclosure of information such as grades, conduct records, and financial details without the student's consent. At Maricopa Community Colleges, students can authorize the release of their records to third parties by submitting a completed Student Information Release Authorization.
Religious Accommodations
Religious Accommodations are available at Maricopa Community Colleges for students with religious and sincere beliefs. When requested, we accommodate students’ religious needs, observances, and practices. To initiate a request, students should review the Religious Accommodation Procedure and submit the required form to their instructor at least two weeks in advance.
Preventing Sexual Harassment
Preventing sexual harassment is part of Maricopa Community Colleges’ commitment to maintaining an environment free from sexual harassment and discrimination. The Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy outlines definitions, protections, and procedures for reporting and responding to incidents. If you have experienced or witnessed an act of sexual harassment, you are encouraged to report the incident to your college's Title IX/504 Coordinator.
Resolution Center
Maricopa Community Colleges’ Resolution Center is a hub to help students address concerns or complaints through established processes for instructional issues, non-instructional matters, and discrimination-related incidents. Additional resources are available for certain unresolved or out-of-state complaints, including through Arizona state agencies.