Student Rights

Paris Junior College provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students with documented disabilities. To request accommodations, students must submit documentation and complete the Request for Accommodations form in MyPJC (Student tab under Reports and Forms).

Requests should be submitted at least two weeks in advance; some services (such as interpreters or specialized equipment) may require up to six weeks’ notice.

Students are encouraged to contact the Advising & Counseling Center to begin the process and discuss available services.

For assistance or ADA/Section 504 concerns, contact:
Ansley Hoskins, ADA/Section 504 Coordinator
903-782-0281 | ahoskins@parisjc.edu 

Learn More about Accommodations at PJC. 

Support Animals at PJC

A public entity, including a college district, shall modify its policies, practices, or procedures to permit the use of a service animal by an individual with a disability, unless the public entity can demonstrate that making the modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), "service animal" means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition.

Related Policy:
FAB — Equal Educational Opportunity: Service Animals

Paris Junior College (PJC) recognizes and protects students’ rights to engage in expressive activities on campus, as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 8 of the Texas Constitution. In accordance with Texas Senate Bill 18, the common outdoor areas of the College are designated as public forums where students, student organizations, and faculty may assemble, speak, distribute written material, carry signs, and circulate petitions.

Students may engage in expressive activity freely, so long as the activity:

• Is lawful and does not materially and substantially disrupt College operations or the rights of others;
• Complies with the reasonable time, place, and manner rules established by the College; and
• Does not fall within activities specifically restricted by policy, such as using sound amplification devices during class hours or wearing a disguise to conceal identity in order to obstruct enforcement of College rules.

Use of College facilities and grounds by students or registered student organizations requires a written request submitted to the Director of Student Life in accordance with administrative procedures.

 Freedom of Expression & Use of College Facilities: https://www.parisjc.edu/policies/speech.php

For more info: Board Policy FLA (Legal) & FLA (Local)

PJC Policy Prohibits Sexual Harassment , sex discrimination, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, stalking, etc.

Sexual Harassment
Procedures of Investigation
Corrective/Disciplinary Actions

➤ Report Online:
https://www.parisjc.edu/titleix

Title IX Coordinator:
Melanie Hatcher
903-782-0483

Related Policies:
Board Policy FFDA (Legal) & FFDA (Local)

Paris Junior College is committed to providing a safe and respectful environment where all students can learn and succeed.

PJC prohibits:

• Discrimination based on protected characteristics (race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, etc.) ➤ More Info

• Harassment, including sexual harassment ➤ More Info

• Bullying in any form ➤ More Info

• Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern or participates in an investigation

Students who believe they have experienced discrimination, harassment, bullying, or retaliation are encouraged to report it promptly.

➤ For full policy information and reporting procedures:

PJC Board Policy FFDA (LEGAL)
🔗 PJC Board Policy FFDA (LOCAL)
🔗 PJC Board Policy FFE (LOCAL) – Bullying
🔗 Title IX Information: https://www.parisjc.edu/title-ix/
Student Complaints (FLD): https://www.parisjc.edu/complaints/

PJC reviews reports in accordance with federal and state law.

Related Policies:
PJC Board Policy FFDA Legal and Policy FFDA Local
PJC Board Policy FFDA Legal and Policy FFDA Local

Paris Junior College prohibits hazing. Hazing includes any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of initiating, admitting, affiliating with, or maintaining membership in an organization that may endanger a student’s physical or mental health.

Hazing is a violation of College policy and Texas law. Students and organizations may be subject to disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct, as well as potential criminal penalties.

A student who engages in, encourages, assists, or fails to report known hazing may be subject to disciplinary action. Consent of the student or organization is not a defense.

Students are expected to report hazing to a College official.

➤ For full policy details, including definitions and legal requirements. 

Under FERPA, students have the right to:

• Inspect their records
• Request corrections
• Limit release of directory information
• File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education

➤ FERPA Page

Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Paris Junior College to comply with FERPA.

The office that administers FERPA is:
U.S. Department of Education
Student Privacy Policy Office
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202

For more info: Board Policy FJ (Legal) & FJ (Local)

In compliance with FERPA, Paris Junior College gives notice that certain directory information may be released to the public without prior written consent. Certain information may be released unless a student submits a written restriction during the first 12 class days (fall/spring) or first 4 days (summer).

➤ More about Directory Information

For more info: Board Policy FJ (Legal) & FJ (Local)

Under the Texas Public Information Act, request for public information must be submitted in writing.

Requestors may email pir@parisjc.edu with their request. 

➤ More Info. 

Upon receipt of military orders from a student, an institution of higher education shall excuse a student from attending classes or engaging in other required activities, including examinations, in order for the student to participate in active military service to which the student is called, including travel associated with the service. A student whose absence is excused may not be penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to complete an assignment or take an examination from which the student is excused within a reasonable time after the absence. An instructor may appropriately respond if the student fails to satisfactorily complete the assignment or examination within a reasonable time after the absence. Education Code 51.9111(c); 19 TAC 4.9(a)–(b)

Students using VA benefits will not be penalized for delayed VA payments.

Includes:

• Hazlewood Act
• VA Educational Benefits
• Excused absences for active military services

A veteran’s benefits terminated because of unsatisfactory
academic progress will be reinstated when the veteran has met satisfactory academic progress requirements or successfully appealed their suspension.

➤ Veterans Services

➤ More info: Board Policy FC (Legal)

In accordance with Section 51.911, Texas Education Code, Paris Junior College will allow a student who is absent from class for the observance of a religious holy day to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence.

Reasonable time will be determined by the instructor and will be no later than one week after the student returns from the religious holy day. Students are required to file a written request with each instructor to qualify for an excused absence.

This request must be made within the first 15 days of the semester in which the absence will occur.

A student who is excused will not be penalized for the absence, but the instructor may appropriately respond if the student fails to satisfactorily complete the assignment or examination. If a student disagrees with any decision concerning absence, the student may use the regular channels for appeal. More Info on Appeals

For more info: Board Policy FC (Legal)

PJC is committed to resolving issues fairly, promptly, and at the lowest level possible. The best first step is almost always a direct conversation — reach out to the instructor, dean, program director, or campus administrator involved as soon as the issue comes up. Early communication leads to faster resolutions.

If your concern isn't resolved through that initial conversation, PJC has a formal, multi-level complaint process to help you move forward.

➤ Learn more about the Student Complaint process here.

Related Policies:
FLD — Student Rights and Responsibilities: Student Complaints (Legal)
FLD — Student Rights and Responsibilities: Student Complaints (Local)

Admission materials submitted to Paris Junior College must be original documents. Once received by the Office of Admissions, documents become the property of the College and, except for foreign transcripts, will not be returned.

Applications and supporting documents from individuals who apply but do not enroll are retained and disposed of in accordance with the Retention Schedule on file with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

➤  For more info: Board Policy FJ (Legal) & FJ (Local)

 

PJC assigns each student an official college email (Dragonmail) address upon enrollment. This email account is the primary means of communication between the College and the student. All official correspondence—including notices of academic status, financial aid, billing, registration, and campus alerts—will be sent to the student’s PJC email account.

Texas law requires proof of vaccination (within 5 years) for entering students under age 22 unless exempt.

➤ Details & Exemptions 
➤ For more info: Board Policy FFAA & State SB 1107 compliance