Student Penalties and Fines

The purpose of this policy is to identify key principles related to the imposition of student penalties and fines in relation to the assessment of additional academic fees of any kind in any given term. This policy applies to all students and to all administrative units providing services or loans (i.e. library resources, academic support adaptive equipment, lab/ classroom equipment, or materials) to students, which carry a financial or other obligation on the part of the student.

Principles

1. Penalties and fines are established to encourage students to meet their obligations to return loaned items owned by the College and to pay monies owed to the College.
2. The College will ensure all penalties and fines are administered impartially and fairly.
3. Penalties and fines will be established for non-payment of established academic fees or failure to return loaned items. The chief penalty will be the suspension of student access to services until the college-owed obligation has been met.
4. All penalties and fines will be posted to student accounts.
5. Students who have incurred a penalty and/or fine must consult to the issuing department to make payment or resolve the penalty.
6. As appropriate, the College will make use of collection agencies to collect monies owed to the College.

Payment of Fines and Removal of Penalties

1. The issuing department will receive notification of payment of fines and remove any imposed penalties as follows:
   1. If students have received library fines, they must pay fees in the Finance Department and return to the Library to show proof of payment of the fine in order to have any imposed penalty removed.
   2. If tuition fees are in arrears, students will return to the Finance Department to pay their fees.
   3. If students have received notice from a collection agency, they must pay the account directly to the collection agency.
2. Appeals
   1. Appeals are to be made to the department issuing the penalty or fine.
   2. The appeal must be in writing. All appeals must include or identify the reasons the appeal is being sought:
   3. Is the appeal being sought because the fine or penalty was unfairly levied? Please explain.
   4. Is the appeal being sought due to unavoidable extenuating circumstances? Please describe and attach any supportive documentation.
   5. Each department issuing a penalty or fine will establish a process for reviewing appeals.
   6. The final authority for appeal for a penalty or fine is the head of the unit issuing the penalty or fine.