Understanding Your Rights at RCC

Academic Policies & Procedures

RCC Promises to Uphold Your Experience

When people come together they enter into a social contract — which dictates how they act, what is expected of them and what they are entitled to in return. Your college experience is no different. All members of the RCC community are asked to engage positively in this social contract, regardless if you’re a first year student, a classified professional, or a career instructor who has educated generations.

Riverside Community College District Board Policies and Administrative Procedures set forth these expectations and describe how to proceed through RCC’s complaint procedures.

College Complaint Procedures

In its goal to provide quality instruction and services, Riverside City College provides students access to appropriate College staff and administration to resolve questions and concerns about RCC personnel, policies, procedures, or the actions or inactions of the College. Riverside City College and its employees make every effort to serve students courteously and efficiently, including acting in accordance with college policies and state and federal laws.

Individuals dissatisfied with a campus policy or the conduct of a college employee can bring a complaint, a written or verbal notice of dissatisfaction, to the attention of the appropriate faculty, staff, or administrator at any time. If a problem is identified, applicable remedies will be put in place as soon as possible.

Before engaging in the complaint process, individuals should make every effort to resolve their dissatisfaction informally with the college personnel immediately involved. If addressing an issue informally does not lead to satisfactory resolution, the individual may register a complaint with the proper supervisor or administrator in alignment with the appropriate RCCD Board administrative procedure below.

  • Student Grievance Process for Instruction and Grade Related Matters
    AP3500B — Students have a timely path to confidentially file a complaint if they feel there has been a violation of college or district policy concerning instruction or a grade they have received.
  • Student Grievance Process for Matters Other than Instruction, Grade, or Discipline
    AP3500C — Students can file a complaint for an alleged violation of college or district policy concerning any student service area program including financial, health, library resources, counseling, tutorial, admissions and records, etc.
  • Complaint Process Forms

Other Complaint Reporting Procedures

Select RCCD Board Policies and Administrative Procedures of Interest

The RCCD Board of Trustees establishes policies (BP) that define the institutional mission and sets prudent, ethical, and legal standards for college operations.

Administrative procedures (AP) implement Board policy, laws, and regulations and are developed through the District’s participatory governance process.

A comprehensive list of all RCCD BP/APs can be found on the RCCD Board of Trustees website .

Expectations for Students

Standards of Student Conduct

BP3500 — The Chancellor and Board of Trustees have set expectations of academic and citizenship behavior that, if not followed, can lead to disciplinary action.

Academic Honesty / Student Discipline

AP3500A — Students are expected to maintain standards of conduct. Violations can result in consequences ranging from written reprimand to expulsion.

Protection of Reasoned Opinion

Freedom of Academic Speech

BP2030 — Academic freedom is fundamental for protecting instruction and students’ freedom to learn.

Privacy

Privacy for Student Record Information

BP3040 — Students have a right to access records relating to them. Information will not be released without written consent except where permitted by law.

Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Retaliation

Commitment to Diversity

BP6100 — RCC is committed to building a diverse and accessible environment that fosters intellectual and social advancement.

Non-Discrimination

BP6410 — RCC provides equal opportunity in educational programs, employment, and institutional activities.

Required Course Materials

Collections of Fees and Refunds Policy

BP3031 — Courses may require instructional materials or software necessary for completing coursework.

Enrolling in Classes and Qualifying for Graduation

Priority Registration

BP3055 — Some students are eligible for priority or early registration within the RCCD system.

Graduation Requirements for Degrees and Certificates

BP2100 — RCC grants associate degrees and certificates to students who meet the requirements and maintain a 2.0 GPA.