Student Orientation

Campus Safety and Security Crime Statistics

Southern Texas Careers Academy works hard to ensure its students are kept knowledgeable of campus policies and procedures related to FERPA, Copyright, Financial Aid, and other topics. STC Academy is also committed to providing a safe learning environment for its students. The information provided is designed to comply with Consumer Information and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998. Click the link below and you will find the Annual Security Report, or you may request a paper copy from the Campus Executive Director.

2021 Annual Security Report

College Navigator

FERPA POLICY

FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, is a federal law that pertains to the release of and access to student educational records. FERPA rights apply to students and guardians of a dependent minor atudent; a student is a person who is, or has been, in attendance at STC Academy, regardless of the person’s age. Under FERPA, a student has a right to:

• inspect and review his or her educational records
• request to amend his or her educational records
• have some control over the disclosure of information from his or her educational records

The directory information made available by STC Academy is:

• Name (maiden, other, preferred, primary)
• Address (all known)
• Telephone (all known)
• Course
• Dates of Attendance
• Certificates and Awards

FERPA also authorizes the disclosure of this information without the student’s consent under certain circumstances. Directory information will be provided to the public upon request unless the student files a request with STC Academy asking to be excluded from the directory or from any other requests for open directory information from outside entities. A student may update access to his/her information by contacting STC Academy's Director and filing a request to be excluded from the directory or from any other requests for open directory information.

According to FERPA, some non-directory Student records may not be released without prior written consent from the Student. A record is any information recorded in any way, including but not limited to handwriting, print, and digital image. Educational records are all records that contain information that is directly related to a student and that are maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a party acting on its behalf. Educational records do not include the following:

• Sole possession records (those records kept in the sole possession of the maker which are used only as a personal memory aid and are not accessible or reviewed by any other person except a temporary substitute for the maker of the record
• Medical or psychological treatment records that include but are not limited to records maintained by physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists
• Employment records, provided that employment is not contingent upon being a student
• Law enforcement records.

STC Academy can disclose information from a student’s education record without the written consent of the student to staff members who require access to educational records in order to perform their legitimate educational duties; officials of other schools in which the student seeks or intends to enroll; and in connection with a student’s application for, or receipt of, financial aid; and state, federal, and accrediting agencies as required. Under FERPA, Students have a right to see, inspect and request changes to their educational records. Upon request, STC Academy shall provide a student access to his or her educational records except for financial records of the student’s parents or guardian; and confidential letters of recommendation where the student has signed a waiver of the right of access. Educational records covered by FERPA normally will be made available within ten (10) days of the request. All records are to be reviewed by students in the presence of a staff member. The contents of a student’s educational records may be challenged by the student on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy rights of the student by submitting a written statement to STC Academy. It is the policy of STC Academy that it will maintain the FERPA disclosure code in effect at the time of a student’s last term of enrollment for former students. Furthermore, STC Academy will honor a request from a former student, not re-enrolled, to add or delete a non-disclosure request. FERPA rights cease upon death. However, it is the policy of STC Academy that no records of deceased students be released for a period of five (5) years after the date of the student’s death unless specifically authorized by the executor of the deceased’s estate or by next of kin. If Students believe that their FERPA rights have been violated, they may contact the Family Policy Compliance Office at the Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC 2002-4605. Additional information is available at www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/

PARENT RIGHTS UNDER FERPA

At the post-secondary level, parents have no inherent right to access or inspect their son’s or daughter’s educational records, including final grades, grades on exams, and other information about academic progress. This information is protected under FERPA and parents do not have access to it unless the student has provided express, written authorization, or unless the student is a dependent as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. students can give express written permission of access to their educational record by completing the Privacy Release Authorization Form and remitting it to STC Academy. In emergency or crisis situations, STC Academy may release non-directory information if the institution determines that the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.

HOUSING

STC Academy does not provide housing for attending students. However, if an applicant needs assistance in finding local housing, STC Academy will refer the applicant to an appropriate agency.

OSHA

The United States Department of Labor of Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires STC Academy to advise its students of the chemicals used in cosmetology and related training. During Orientation, the Student will learn about the importance of safety in the workplace and how to use and follow the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for chemicals used in cosmetology and/or related training.

During each unit of study, students are apprised of the various chemicals used and safe practices that apply. In addition, a complete file containing Material Safety Data  Sheets for the chemicals used at STC Academy is available in the STC Academy Director's office.

Learning Disabilities

STC academy is committed to providing accommodations for enrolled and admitted students who have documented disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). It is the responsibility of the student to seek available assistance at STC Academy and to request reasonable accommodations. Students must provide documentation of a disability from an appropriate medical or educational specialist that describes the disability and functional limitations. Documentation should not be older than two years. Students must also be provided documentation on how the disability affects how they function in a learning environment.

Student Body Diversity

Due to a class size of under 100 students, STC Academy does not release the gender and ethnicity of enrolled, full-time students who receive Title IV; doing so could lead to individually identifiable student recipients and violate their right to privacy.

In addition to the information published in this catalog, details on student body diversity, federal student aid recipient details and program costs can be found on the College Navigator Website at www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator.

Civil & Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws

Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement. Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505. Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense. For more information, please see the Web site of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov, especially their FAQ’s at www.copyright.gov/help/faq.

Drug Abuse Prevention

In accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, 41 U.S.C. § 701 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989, 20 U.S.C. § 1145g. STC Academy promotes a drug-free learning environment. The manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, sale, purchase, offer to buy or sell, or use of alcohol, illegal drugs or related paraphernalia and the illegal use of any drugs (including the misuse of a prescription drug) at STC Academy or while engaged in the course curriculum is strictly prohibited. STC Academy also prohibits such conduct during the non-curriculum time to the extent that, in the judgment of STC Academy, it impairs a student’s ability to progress through the curriculum, threatens the reputation or integrity of STC Academy, or violates the law. Students who use prescription drugs should follow the prescribing physician’s directions for usage. All prescriptions are to be kept in the prescription bottle with the appropriate name of the user. If the use of a prescription drug may impair your performance or affect safety while performing course-related services, you should notify STC Academy Director immediately so that STC Academy can take whatever action it finds appropriate to protect your safety and that of other students and clients. Any student who violates this policy is subject to suspension or expulsion from STC Academy.

Security Report

Information will be provided soon

Security Report (Including emergency response and evacuation procedures), timely warnings, and crime log

Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedure

STC Academy maintains practices to make sure emergency procedures are carried out:

• First aid kit is available to the faculty, staff, students, and clients in the event of an injury.
• Emergency Planning Guide for the school is available. Simply ask a director.
• Emergency numbers are posted if you need to make an emergency call at any time.

Security Report - Missing Person Notification Policy

A student is presumed to have disappeared when an absence of 24 hours or more is inconsistent with his/her established patterns of behavior and the deviation cannot be easily explained.

Any member of the community, including employees and students, who is concerned that a currently enrolled student may be missing must contact the Department of Public Safety at 956-217-6106. Any employee who receives a report of a possible missing student should immediately report to DPS. DPS will investigate all reports and determine if a student is missing.

Registered Sex Offenders

Registered Sex Offenders in Rio Grande City Tx
Registered Sex Offenders In McAllen Tx

Gainful Employment

This institution provides training in recognized programs that prepare the students to “gainful employment.” A recognized occupation is defined by a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code established by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) or an Occupational Information Network O* NET-SOC code established by the Department of Labor

Recognized Occupational codes:

Gainful Employment Program Disclosures – Cosmetology Operator
Gainful Employment Program Disclosures – Esthetician
Gainful Employment Program Disclosures – Manicurist

http://www.careerinfonet.org/
http://www.online.onetcenter.org/

General Prerequisite for Employment in Texas

Individuals graduating from STC Academy and seeking employment in the State of Texas for the course chosen must meet the following criteria:

• Meet general eligibility for Licensing:83.20. License Requirements-Individuals http://www.license.state.tx.us/cosmet/cosmetrules.htm#8320
• Pass State Exams:83.21. License Requirements–Examinations http://www.license.state.tx.us/cosmet/cosmetrules.htm#8321
• Hold an active license: Section 1602.251. License or Certificate Required http://www.license.state.tx.us/cosmet/cosmetlaw.htm#251
• Meet Eligibility for the specific course chosen: Eligibility for Licensing: http://www.license.state.tx.us/cosmet/cosmetlaw.htm#254http://www.license.state.tx.us/cosmet/cosmetlaw.htm#255
  http://www.license.state.tx.us/cosmet/cosmetlaw.htm#256
  http://www.license.state.tx.us/cosmet/cosmetlaw.htm#257
• Must seek employment in a licensed facility: Section 1602.301. Facility License Required http://www.license.state.tx.us/cosmet/cosmetlaw.htm#301
• Must comply with Employer Verification Form I-9: The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) legally mandates that U.S. employers verify the employment eligibility status of newly-hired employees using Form I-9.

Voter Registration

DMV for Voter Registration