Pima County Community College District Regulation

Regulation Title:  Admissions (Interim)
Regulation Number:  RG-3501/A
Effective Date:   6/15/99
Approval Date:   6/15/99
Review Date(s):  4/17/01
Revision Date(s):  4/17/01
Sponsoring Unit/Department: VC Enrollment Services and External Relations
Board Policy Title & No.: Admissions, BP-3501
Legal Reference: Arizona Administrative Code, R7-1-301, R7-1-709, Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) 15-1821
Cross Reference: Transfer Students and Credit, BP-3111; Equal Educational Opportunity, BP-3112; Limited Enrollment (Selective Admissions), BP-3506; General Education Requirements; and BP-3117 Concurrent Enrollment Guidelines

Pima County Community College District will admit all students who may benefit from its diverse learning opportunities. It is understood, however, that a number of considerations, including student preparedness, fiscal restraints, facilities limitations, certain curriculum demands, and the requirements of external agencies, make some control of admissions necessary. This regulation provides guidelines that will be applied uniformly to determine the eligibility of applicants to the College in accordance with Board Policy and ensures that admission requirements comply with Federal and state laws and local ordinances and are appropriately identified for all students including regulations for student residency, international students, and underage students.

The Office of the Chancellor delegates authority to the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services and External Relations to ensure access to all eligible applicants, to establish and enforce uniform criteria for determining the eligibility of applicants, to ensure that prospective students are sufficiently informed of admission requirements, and to develop standard practice guides in support of this regulation.  The implementation of this regulation and related SPG's will be the responsibility of the Office of the Registrar and where noted will be a shared responsibility with the Campus President or Dean of Student Development.

I. Eligibility for Admission

Pima Community College will admit students if they fall within one of the following categories provided that the established College criteria, guidelines and procedures have been met:

 A.

1. a graduate of an accredited high school;

2. a recipient of a G.E.D. certificate of high school equivalency;

3. a transfer student from an accredited college;

4. non-high school graduate who is 18 years of age or older who can benefit from instruction;

5. a non-high school graduate between the ages of 16 and 18 who has officially withdrawn from high school who can benefit from instruction;

6. a student currently attending high school, age 16 and over, seeking dual enrollment at PCC,  accompanied by written approval from the student's principal and parents or legal guardian;

7. a student currently enrolled in high school, seeking concurrent** enrollment with PCC, who achieves the specified COMPASS or ASSET scores as per College Concurrent Enrollment Guidelines or who presents a composite score of 930 or more on the verbal and math portions of the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or a composite score of 22 or more on the ACT (American College Test) and written approval from the student's parents or legal guardians;

8. a student under the age of 16 without a diploma or GED, seeking dual enrollment at PCC, who has achieved a specified score(s) on the COMPASS or ASSET as per approved College policy or on the SAT, ACT may enroll in up to eight (8) credit hours in accordance with R7-1-301 and with parental/legal guardian approval and the successful completion of the special underage admissions process;

9. an international student enrolled for 12 credit hours or more who has completed an academic program equivalent to an American secondary school and has a score of 450 or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or whose native language is English;

10.  International students must demonstrate English proficiency using a college approved instrument if they plan to enroll in courses other than English as a Second Language or courses offered bilingually.

B. Students will be admitted either as full-time (12 credit hours or more) or part-time (less than 12 credit hours) in one of four categories:

1. Regular  -That student who is a high school graduate, GED recipient, or who has met the Ability to Benefit criteria and is enrolling in credit or clock hour courses and/or programs.

2. Special - That student who is not a high school graduate and/or not beyond the age of compulsory education or not a GED recipient or who has not met the Ability to Benefit criteria and is enrolling in credit or clock hour courses and/or programs.

3. International - That student who is applying for full-time admission as an F-1 student, or who is attending as an active F-1 student at another institution and has satisfied all accompanying criteria.

4. Foreign - That student who is applying for part-time admission and is in the US on an active visa status, other than F-1.

II. Student Residency Requirements

In determining a student's eligibility for in-state tuition, Pima Community College must follow the Arizona Revised Statutes related to the classification of students for tuition purposes.  Those statutes are included in this regulation to ensure accuracy and uniformity in making such determinations.  The College has determined that "parent" is expanded to include "legal guardian" when referring to student status.

The Office of the Chancellor delegates authority to the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services and External Relations to ensure compliance with Arizona laws governing the classification of students for tuition purposes.  Determination of student eligibility for in-state tuition is the responsibility of the Office of the Registrar.

Each student application must have the question of the one-year duration domicile requirement determined by the appropriate Admissions Office prior to the time of registration and payment of fees for any semester or session.

A. ARS Section 15-1801

In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Armed Forces of the United States" means the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Services and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association.

2. "Continuous attendance" means enrollment at an educational institution in this state as a full-time student, as such term is defined by the governing body of the educational institution for a normal academic year since the beginning of the period for which continuous attendance is claimed. Such person need not attend summer sessions or other such intersession beyond the normal academic year in order to maintain continuous attendance.

3. "Domicile" means a person's true, fixed and permanent home and place of habitation. It is the place where he intends to remain and to which he expects to return when he leaves without intending to establish a new domicile elsewhere.

4. "Emancipated person" means a person who is neither under a legal duty of service to his parents nor entitled to the support of such parent under the laws of this state.

5. "Parent" means a person's father or mother, or if one parent has custody, that parent, or if there is no surviving parent or the whereabouts of the parents are unknown, then a guardian of an unemancipated person if there are not circumstances indicated that such guardianship was created primarily for the purpose of conferring the status of an in-state student on such unemancipated person.

B. ARS Section 2 In State Status

1. Except as otherwise provided in this article no person having a domicile elsewhere than in this state is eligible for classification as an in-state student for tuition purposes.

2. A person is not entitled to classification as an in-state student until he is domiciled for one year, except that a person whose domicile is in this state is entitled to classification as an in-state student if he meets one of the following requirements:

a. His parent's domicile is in this state and his parent is entitled to claim him as an exemption for state and federal tax purposes.

b. He is an employee of an employer which transferred him to this state for employment purposes or he is the spouse of such employee.

3. The domicile of an unemancipated person is that of such person's parent.

4. Any unemancipated person who remains in this state when such person's parent, who had been domiciled in this state, removes from this state is entitled to classification as an in-state student until attainment of the degree for which currently enrolled, so long as such person maintains continuous attendance.

5. A person who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in this state pursuant to military orders or who is the spouse or dependent child as defined in Section 43-1001 of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in this state pursuant to military orders is entitled to classification as an in-state student. The student, while in continuous attendance toward the degree for which currently enrolled, does not lose in-state classification.

6. A person who is a member of an Indian tribe recognized by the United States Department of the Interior whose reservation land lies in this state and extends into another state and who is a resident of the reservation is entitled to classification as an in-state student.

C. ARS Section 15-1803 15 Alien In-State Student Status

An alien is entitled to classification as an in-state refugee student if such person has been granted refugee status in accordance with all applicable laws of the United States and has met all other requirements for domicile.

D. ARS Section 15-1804 Presumption Relating to Student Status

Unless the contrary appears to the satisfaction of the registering authority of the community college or university at which a student is registering, it shall be presumed that:

1. No emancipated person has established a domicile in this state while attending any educational institution in this state as a full- time student, as such status is defined by the State Board of Directors for Community Colleges or the Arizona Board of Regents, in the absence of a clear demonstration to the contrary.

2. Once established, a domicile is not lost by mere absence unaccompanied by intention to establish a new domicile.

3. A person who has been domiciled in this state immediately prior to becoming a member of the Armed Forces of the United States shall not lose in-state status by reason of such person's presence in any other state or country while a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.

E. ARS Section 15-1805 Student Status Regulations

The Arizona Board of Regents and the State Board of Directors for Community Colleges shall adopt guidelines applicable to all institutions under their respective jurisdictions that will ensure uniform criteria to aid the institutions in determining the tuition status of any student and that will establish uniform procedures for review of that status.

F. ARS Section 15-1806 Testimony Concerning Student Status: Designation Of Persons To Administer Oaths

The Arizona Board of Regents and the State Board of Directors for Community Colleges shall designate a person employed at each institution under their respective jurisdictions to administer oaths or affirmations in connection with the taking of testimony relative to student status for tuition purposes.

G. ARS Section 15-1807 Concurrent Enrollment; Nonresident Tuition

1. It is unlawful for any nonresident student to register concurrently in two or more public institutions of higher education in this state including any university or community college for a combined student credit hour enrollment of more than six semester hours without payment of nonresident at one of such institutions.

2. Any nonresident student desiring to enroll concurrently in two or more public institutions of higher in this state including any university or community college for a combined total of more than six semester hours who is not subject to nonresident tuition at any of such institutions shall pay the nonresident tuition at the institution of his choice in an amount equivalent to nonresident tuition at such institution for the combined total of semester hours for which the nonresident student is currently enrolled.

III. International Student Admissions

International students are welcome at Pima Community College. Their presence adds to the multi-cultural diversity, which characterizes the College.

However, all international students are required to comply with appropriate immigration standards and regulations and to meet College requirements for international student admission. Any international student dually enrolled at another postsecondary institution must pay the full out of state/out of country tuition.

The Office of the Chancellor delegates authority to the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services and External Relations to ensure compliance with all applicable immigration standards and regulations, to establish and enforce College regulations for international student admission, and to develop standard practice guides in support of this regulation.

International student seeking admission to Pima Community College, in addition to complying with immigration standards and regulations, must meet the following College admission requirements:

A. International students seeking full-time admission must:

1. Have completed an academic program equivalent to an American secondary school and submit with their application official records and transcripts properly translated into English;

2. Demonstrate proficiency in the English language with a score of 450 or better on the test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL);

3. Submit a completed application for admission, with the appropriate fee; and,

4. Demonstrate the ability to meet financial requirements for the academic year by submitting a completed Financial Guarantee Form, along with a bank statement verifying the availability of sufficient funds for that purpose.

 Students planning to be admitted on an F-l visa must satisfy additional federal immigration regulations.

B. International/foreign students seeking part-time admission must submit an application for admission. They must also demonstrate English proficiency using a college approved instrument if they plan to enroll in courses other than English as a Second Language or bilingual offerings.

C. International Student must comply with the college policy on student immunization; all international students must demonstrate that they have health insurance before enrolling in classes.

D. International Students will be advised and placed in appropriate level courses based on their TOEFL and assessment scores.

IV. Admission of Underage Students

The primary purpose of Pima County Community College District is to provide educational opportunities for adults in Pima County. In doing so, the College complies with all State Board regulations and all appropriate state and local ordinances. The College also recognizes that some individuals below the age of sixteen may benefit from some college coursework; therefore, guidelines, and procedures must be in place to assure appropriate and equitable access for these potential students.

The Office of the Chancellor delegates authority to the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services and External Relations to enforce compliance with this regulation and, as necessary, to develop and enforce compliance with standard practice guides in support of this regulation.

The implementation of this regulation and related SPG's will be the responsibility of the Campus President or Dean of Student Development. The Office of the Registrar is responsible for providing the official interpretation of the policy and procedural language as well as monitoring and evaluating the implementation of this regulation and related standard practice guides.

A. Guidelines

No student under the age of sixteen will be denied admission to the College because of age, lack of high school diploma or high school certificate of equivalency, grade in school, lack of permission of school officials, or lack of concurrent enrollment in a public or private school, provided the general parameters have been met to assess student preparedness. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to a specific degree program or to all courses offered by the College.

The Campus Dean of Student Development is responsible for the consistent and uniform implementation of this regulation and related SPG's.  The Dean of Student Development or designee is responsible for meeting with the underage students and parents or legal guardians to explain college-wide policies, code of conduct and procedures of special admission of underage students.

B. General Parameters

1. The College will supplement the education being provided to the underage student by the secondary school system or alternate provider with no more than eight semester hour credits. Underage students being home schooled may enroll for more than eight semester credit hours with special permission.  However, enrollment at PCC is not intended to supplant home schooling.

2. Students under the age of sixteen without a high school diploma or GED must have completed the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) with a composite score of 930 or more on the verbal and math portions, or the ACT (American College Test) with a composite score of 22 or , or have achieved a specified score on COMPASS or ASSET as per approved College policy.

3. For students under the age of sixteen, still in school, the parent or legal guardian must provide a signature granting their permission and permission from the secondary school for supplemental instruction by the College.

4. Students under the age of sixteen must submit copies of all high school academic, attendance, and discipline records for review.

5. The parent(s) or guardian(s) of a student under the age of sixteen who has been in alternative schooling must provide a copy of the state credential or certification for the alternative school, a signature by the certificate holder, and an educational plan indicating the activities the College is asked to supplement.

6. Underage students (under sixteen) and their parent(s)/legal guardian(s) are required to participate in an intake interview at the campus they hope to attend.  This special admissions process includes an evaluation of student preparedness, the completion and submission of all required forms and records and an explanation of College policies and procedures.  Continued enrollment for underage students granted permission to enroll will be dependent on an evaluation conducted with the student and parent/legal guardian of the satisfactory academic progress and compliance with the Pima Community College Student Code of Conduct.

7. The records of material required for entrance will be kept by the Dean of Student Development and the District Central Office of Enrollment Services.

The College has the right to deny admission to underage students who fail to meet these guidelines and who have been suspended or otherwise officially excluded from secondary schools for disciplinary reasons. Approval or denial for admission and subsequent registration(s) into courses will be made by the Dean of Student Development.

** "Concurrent" enrollment at PCC has the same meaning as "dual" enrollment as used in the State of Arizona.  Concurrent enrollment is a partnership between PCC and high schools in which students are enrolled in a College course or courses as part of the high school day.  The courses count both as college credit and toward high school graduation.  All students must be enrolled for college credit.  The course is closed to high school students who wish to take the course for high school credit only.  There is no cost to the student.  The College pays tuition and instructional costs are paid by the high school.