Consumer Information

As part of its mission, Mid-Plains Community College seeks to ensure that no person who meets the academic and technical standards requisite for admission to, and continued enrollment at the college is denied benefits or subjected to discrimination solely by reason of his or her disability. Toward this end, and in compliance with federal laws, the college both accepts and provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students with documentation.

Both MPCC and the student have responsibilities to ensure equal educational opportunities. While the college stands ready to make accommodations, it is the student's responsibility to avail him or herself of all available services.

Disabled students with special needs should contact the college campus ADA coordinator identified below. Services for students with disabilities (learning, ADD, ADHD, physical or psychological) may include special accommodations, tutoring and counseling. With the student's written permission, the counselor can also be a liaison to instructors regarding the student's special needs. Documentation of the disability(ies) by a qualified professional, must be on file with the college in order to initiate services. The college will make a good faith effort to provide an effective accommodation to the student with a disability; however, it need not provide the most comprehensive or expensive accommodation requested by the student.

Contact: Disability Services
Email: disabilityservices@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4308, Ext. 3637

Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

Under the ADA, the college must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go.

Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.

When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. Staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Staff cannot ask about the person’s disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.

Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons for denying access or refusing service to people using service animals. When a person who is allergic to dog dander and a person who uses a service animal must spend time in the same room or facility, for example, in a school classroom, they both should be accommodated by assigning them, if possible, to different locations within the room or different rooms in the facility.

A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless: (1) the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or (2) the dog is not housebroken. When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain goods or services without the animal’s presence.

Pets and Therapy Animals are generally not permitted in College facilities or at MPCC events.

NOTE: Requests for exceptions to this general rule must be submitted to the campus vice president.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS AND STUDENT HOUSING

Pets are not allowed in student housing with the exception of a fish tank of less than five gallons.

The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act protect the right of people with disabilities to keep emotional support animals, in student housing, because emotional support and service animals are not "pets," but rather are considered to be more like assistive aids. In campus housing, so long as the tenant has a letter or prescription from an appropriate professional, such as a therapist or physician, and meets the definition of a person with a disability, he or she is entitled to a reasonable accommodation that would allow an emotional support animal in the apartment.

REQUEST AN EXCEPTION TO THE SCHOOL’S NO PET RULE

If one needs an emotional support animal to ease the symptoms of a disability (as defined above), he or she should request a reasonable accommodation, in writing, from the Area Dean of Students. The request should state that the student has a disability and explain how the requested accommodation will be helpful. In addition, the student should include a note from his or her service provider, such as a doctor or therapist, verifying the need for the support animal.

Contact: Dr. Brian Obert, Dean of Student Life
Email: obertb@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4348, Ext. 8109

Contact: Disability Services
Email: disabilityservices@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4308, Ext. 3637

Mid-Plains Community College designates certain items as directory information as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Directory information may be included in appropriate college directories and publications or otherwise disclosed by designated staff members unless a student files a written request with the office of Registration & Records during the first 10 days of a given semester.

To prevent the release of information or for questions, contact Registration and Records at the information listed below.

Items designated as directory information include:

• student's name
• major field of study
• dates of attendance
• permanent phone number
• local phone number
• permanent address
• local address
• previous schools attended
• degrees conferred and dates of conferral
• student classification
• photograph
• height and weight of athletic team members
• participation in officially recognized activities
• honors and awards earned
• e-mail addresses
• enrollment status
• class type

Appropriate information may also be disclosed in cases of health or safety emergency. For more information see MPCC Board Policy 5141.

Contact: Registration and Records
Email: Reghelp@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4348, Ext. 8119

In compliance with the Department of Education's (34CFR Part 86) Drug Free Schools and Campus Act we are providing the expected standards of conduct regarding the unlawful use of drugs or alcohol on college property or in any college sponsored activity. In addition, we will describe legal sanctions (local, state and federal), health risks, available assistance and treatment avenues, as well as college imposed disciplinary measures.

Standards of Control: The following are deemed to be misconduct and subject to disciplinary action.

Alcohol Use

1. The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverage on college-owned or controlled property, or at college sponsored or supervised events.
2. Being under the influence of alcohol on college-owned property or at college-sponsored or supervised events.

Drug Use

1. Being under the influence of, possessing, distributing, using or selling illegal drugs or any other controlled substance or agent having the potential of abuse, except pursuant to a physician's or dentist's prescription, or possessing paraphernalia for drug use on college-owned or controlled property or at college-sponsored events.
2. Students are subject to all applicable legal sanctions under local, state and federal law regarding unlawful possession of illicit drugs and alcohol. These sanctions may include incarceration and or fines for those found guilty under these sanctions.
3. The health risks of using illegal drugs and use of alcohol are difficult to predict due to the unknown chemicals involved in these substances. The health risks may be severe and lead to permanent impairment or even death. Even occasional use or experimentation can have significant negative consequences. The diminishment of intellectual ability, personality disintegration and long term genetic damage are not uncommon occurrences among drug and alcohol users.
4. Assistance is available for students seeking help for problems associated with illegal drug and alcohol use through Mid-Plains Community College counselor, local community agencies, hospitals or private treatment facilities.
5. The college will impose disciplinary sanctions on students for violating the student code of conduct regarding illegal drugs.

It should be emphasized that when a student’s violation of the law also adversely affects the college’s pursuit of its recognized educational objectives, the college may enforce its own regulations regardless of any civil proceeding or dispositions. When a student violates a college regulation, they are subject to disciplinary action by the college whether or not their conduct violates civil law. If a person’s behavior simultaneously violates a college regulation and the civil laws off-campus, they may incur penalties described by civil authorities. College discipline will be initiated only in instances of student misconduct, which distinctly and adversely affects the college’s pursuit of its recognized educational purposes.

Disciplinary measures appropriate to the offense up to and including dismissal from the college may be imposed.

Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC) affirms its responsibility and commitment to maintain a drug-free workplace strictly according to the terms and conditions of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. MPCC is obligated to provide a drug-free, safe, healthy and secure workplace for employees. For more information see MPCC Board Policy 4172.

Inquiries involving students:

Contact: Dr. Brian Obert, Dean of Student Life
Email: obertb@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4348, Ext. 8109

Inquiries involving employees:

Contact: Rebecca Wrage, Director of Human Resources
Email: HumanResources@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4308, Ext. 3679

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the college receives a request for access. The student should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The college official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the college official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the college to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the college official responsible for the record; clearly identifying the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the college decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the college will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interest. A school official is a person employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her task. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U. S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the Mid-Plains Community College Area to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Contact: Registration and Records
Email: Reghelp@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4348, Ext. 8119

Mid-Plains Community College is an equal opportunity employer and subscribes to an open admission policy. Grievance procedures are outlined in MPCC Board Policy 4370. It is Mid-Plains Community College policy not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, religion, age, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation or veteran status in its educational programs, admissions policies, employment policies, financial aid or other school administered programs. These policies are enforced by federal law under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

For more information see the MPCC non-discrimination policy and the Student Handbook.

Information regarding Title IX training can be found by visiting the ATIXA website. 

Inquiries involving the non-discrimination policy, compliance efforts, or complaints of acts of discrimination or sexual harassment involving employees:

Contact: Rebecca Wrage, Director of Human Resources
Email: HumanResources@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4308, Ext. 3679

Inquiries involving students:

Contact: Dr. Brian Obert, Dean of Student Life
Email: obertb@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4348, Ext. 8109

Inquiries regarding disability accommodations:

Contact: Office of Disability Services
Email: DisabilityServices@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4308, Ext. 3637

Protecting the privacy of your personal information is important to us at MPCC. We respect your right to privacy and recognize our obligation to keep information about you secure and confidential. We do not sell or share information about you with outside marketers.

Our Privacy Policy conforms to the final privacy rule published by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), as required by Section 504(a) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the GLB Act), with respect to financial institutions and other persons under the FTC's jurisdiction. Under provisions of the GLB Act, MPCC as a provider of financial services which include student loans and collection agency services, is required to disclose to all of its customers its privacy policies and practices with respect to information sharing with both affiliates and nonaffiliated third parties. The GLB Act also limits the instances in which a financial institution may disclose nonpublic personal information about a consumer to nonaffiliated third parties.

This notice uses the term "Nonpublic personal information." This means personal information about you which identifies you, and that is not available from public sources.

MPCC's Privacy Statement may be revised from time to time as necessary to reflect changes in the law or MPCC's policies. As changes are made, MPCC will notify students of the changes.

MPCC Privacy Policy

MPCC will collect nonpublic personal information about you from the following sources:

• Information we receive from you on loan applications, promissory notes, MPCC account applications, correspondence, communications, and other forms
• Information about your transactions with us or others with respect to your student loan from parties such as your lender(s) and the U.S. Department of Education and their agents
• Information received from schools you attend or formally attended, or to which you have applied for admission, and
• Information received from credit reporting agencies.

MPCC will not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you or our other current or former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law (we do share such information with our contractors and agents, and to schools, lenders and the U.S. Department of Education, as needed to administer our programs in conformance with law).

MPCC does restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to our employees, contractors, and agents who need to know the information in order to provide service to you, such as servicing and record-keeping for your account and collecting your student loan. MPCC does maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards in compliance with federal regulations to safeguard your nonpublic personal information.

Contact: Registration and Records
Email: Reghelp@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4348, Ext. 8119

Federal regulations require that each institution publish its refund policy and make the information available to students upon request. Any student dropping a class before the class starts will receive 100% refund of tuition and fees. After a class begins, students who discontinue their studies may receive a full or prorated refund of tuition and fees. For the full refund policy and for calculation details see MPCC Tuition Cost.

Contact: Student Accounts
Email: StudentAccounts@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4308, Ext. 3672

Student transcripts and records are maintained in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. Transcripts are defined as documentation of student grades in college work.

Records include placement test scores, financial aid documents and material relating to academic and social honors or disciplinary actions.

Students submit requests for official transcripts online at www.mpcc.edu/transcripts. The cost of official transcripts varies according to mode of delivery (electronic or paper) as described within the online process. Students obtain unofficial transcripts via the “Grades and Transcripts” option available within each student’s individual, password-protected, CampusWeb account. No transcripts or grades will be released to any student who has overdue charges until those charges are settled.

Official transcripts covering a student’s previous education submitted to the college as part of the admissions procedures become a part of the official file and cannot be returned to the student. The college does not issue or certify copies of transcripts from other institutions.

Contact: Registration and Records
Email: Reghelp@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4348, Ext. 8119

Mid-Plains Community College believes that sexual harassment of students is a prohibited form of discrimination. Therefore, Mid-Plains Community College is committed to the belief that sexual harassment is unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated nor condoned. MPCC Board Policy 5371 contains the full sexual harassment policy.

Contact: Dr. Brian Obert, Dean of Student Life
Email: obertb@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4348, Ext. 8109

We strive at all times to provide the highest quality of service and the best student experience possible. Therefore, MPCC encourages you to report any complaints or observed violations of State, Federal, and local law with the appropriate staff members.

If you wish to file a complaint with the State of Nebraska regarding potential institutional violation of State law, you are encouraged to contact the Nebraska’s Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education.

Contact: Dr. Brian Obert, Dean of Student Life
Email: obertb@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4348, Ext. 8109

All students receiving federal Title IV who withdraw are subject to a calculation that determines the amount of earned and unearned Title IV funds. For more info see Financial Aid Policies.

Contact: Financial Aid
Email: finaid@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4348, Ext. 8112

In 2003, the State Legislature passed a law mandating all entering postsecondary students receive information on the risks associated with the potentially fatal meningococcal disease. Students are strongly encouraged to be properly vaccinated against meningococcal disease prior to beginning college. MPCC will provide residential students with information documenting the risks of the disease and vaccination information upon check-in to assigned housing. A confirmation shall be signed by the student, parent or guardian that the information regarding this issue has been received and reviewed.

Crime statistics indicative of campus safety and security are made available by the Office of Research and Planning and the Office of Student Life per MPCC Board Policy 8100. Specific information regarding safety and security at MPCC is provided in the Campus Safety & Security Report.

Contact: Tad Pfeifer, Director of Institutional Effectiveness
Email: institutionalresearch@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4308, Ext. 3684

Contact: Dr. Brian Obert, Dean of Student Life
Email: obertb@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4348, Ext. 8109

MPCC maintains a Daily Crime and Fire Log on incidents occurring on MPCC property. To request this log please contact the MPCC Area Dean of Student Life.

Contact: Dr. Brian Obert, Dean of Student Life
Email: obertb@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4348, Ext. 8109

Completion or graduation rates for MPCC student athletes are made available Equity in Athletics Disclosure Report and are also available from the MPCC Office of Research and Planning.

Athletic revenue and expense information, participation rates, and financial support data are available from the following individuals or their designee:

Contact: Crystal Peterson, Director of Accounting
Email: petersonc@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4308, Ext. 3675

Contact: Tad Pfeifer, Director of Institutional Effectiveness
Email: institutionalresearch@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4308, Ext. 3684

Contact: Jon Olsen, MCC Director of Athletics
Email: olsonjm@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4348, Ext. 8146

Contact: Kevin O'Connor, NPCC Director of Athletics
Email: oconnork@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4308, Ext. 3758

Information about our graduates and graduate rate data is contained in the:

• Graduate Exit Survey Report, which contains basic graduate demographics, summary of awards, and evaluation of services.

• Graduates at Work Report, which includes employment and licensure pass rate data when applicable.

• Trends and Stats: Student Success, Retention, and Transfer Out Data, which includes retention, persistence and completion, and transfer data.

Contact: Tad Pfeifer, Director of Institutional Effectiveness
Email: instutionalresearch@mpcc.edu
Phone: (800) 658-4308, Ext. 3684

College Navigator is a free consumer information tool designed to help students, parents, high school counselors, and others search for and obtain information about U.S. postsecondary institutions. Enter Mid-Plains Community College to view our College Navigator information.

The Net Price Calculator is a tool, provided by the Federal government, that allows you to estimate your college cost.

The Financial Aid and Financial Aid Policies pages include information about the following:

• need-based and non-need-based federal, state, and institutional financial assistance programs available to students
• terms and conditions of Title IV loans including sample loan repayment schedules and information on the necessity of repaying loans
• criteria for selecting recipients and determining amount of award
• eligibility requirements and procedures for applying for aid
• methods and frequency of disbursements of aid
• rights and responsibilities of students receiving Title IV Financial Aid including criteria for continued student eligibility and standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress
• the availability of financial aid for study abroad programs
• how financial aid is handled when students withdraw
• whom to contact for questions regarding financial aid
• general conditions and terms applicable to employment provided as part of a financial aid package
• entrance and exit counseling information

Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC) has processes to establish that a student who registers in courses is the same student who participates in and receives the academic credit or qualification.

We realize that our students have a lot of preparations to make, whether you are coming to college for the first time or if you have been at MPCC for several years.

Changing your voter registration so you can vote while at college may not have been one of the preparations you made prior to attending school. We would like to make this process as easy for you as possible so you can be an active member in the Nation's voting community.

Unfortunately, less than half of all eligible citizens voted in the last election. Studies consistently show that keeping voters actively registered is the key to increasing voter turnout. It is important that you exercise your right to vote.

To register online, go to the Nebraska Voter Registration Portal and follow the directions.