Consumer Information

1. Notice of Availability of Institutional and Financial Aid Information
2. Contact Information for Assistance in Obtaining Institutional or Financial Aid Information
3. Student Financial Aid Information*
   1. College Catalog Financial Aid Information
   2. Website Financial Aid Information
4. Notice of Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations*
5. Privacy of Student Records – FERPA
6. Consumer Information on College Navigator Website*
7. Facilities and Services Available to Students with Disabilities*
8. Student Body Diversity * Statistics
9. Cost of Attendance
10. Net Price Calculator*
11. Refund Policy, Requirements for Withdrawal and for the Return of Title IV, HEA Financial Aid
12. Textbook Information*
    1. Class Schedule (HB 2504 Compliance Explanation)
13. Academic Program (Educational Programs, Instructional Facilities, and Faculty)*
14. Transfer of Credit Policies and Articulation Agreements*
15. Institutional and Program Accreditation, Approval, or Licensure
16. Copyright Infringement Policies and Sanctions (Including Computer Use and File Sharing)*
17. Teacher Preparation Program Report*
18. Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program*
19. Vaccination Policies*
20. Security Report (Including Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures), Timely Warnings, and Crime Statistics – HC – SWCD
21. Security Report – Missing Person Notification Policy*
22. Fire Safety Report and Fire Statistics – HC – SWCD
23. Information for Crime Victims About Disciplinary Hearings*
24. Retention Rate
25. Completion / Graduation and Transfer-out Rates (Including Disaggregated Completion / Graduation Rates)*
26. Completion / Graduation and Transfer-out Rates for Students Receiving Athletically Related Student Aid (Including Disaggregated Completion / Graduation Rates)*
27. Placement in Employment*
28. Job Placement Rates
29. Types of Graduate and Professional Education In Which the Institution’s Graduates Enroll*
30. Intercollegiate Athletic Program Participation Rates and Financial Support Data
    1. Equity in Athletics 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012
31. Voter Registration Forms*
32. National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). In-state and Out-of-state professional licensure disclosures, policies and contact information.

* New or revised disclosure requirement/s in the HEOA and/or the final regulations.

Spring 2021 Report
Fall 2020 Report
Spring 2020 Report
Fall 2019 Report

Below are outlined the requirements per House Bill 2504 as well as Howard College’s implementation of those requirements.  All syllabus and curriculum vitae are presented in Adobe PDF format which may require an additional piece of software for your computer to be viewed properly.  Most modern web browsers and computing environments have PDF file viewing capabilities but free viewer software is readily available at www.acrobat.com if needed.  

All public institutions in Texas, other than health-related institutions, are required to post course and faculty information on the institution’s website (HB 2504) beginning Fall 2010.

HOUSE BILL 2504 – SECTION 51.974. INTERNET ACCESS TO COURSE INFORMATION

Each institution of higher education, other than a medical and dental unit, as defined by Section 61.003, shall make available to the public on the institution’s Internet website for each undergraduate classroom course offered for credit by the institution: Syllabus, Curriculum Vitae for each instructor, Departmental Budgets (if available), and a Plan for Posting Student Evaluation Results.

CLASS SYLLABUS

Howard College Syllabus Implementation

Howard College uses our online Class Schedule to gain access to course syllabus information for each course and section available.  This can be accessed from the main Howard College website (www.howardcollege.edu) by mousing over the ‘Schedule’ item on the main menu.  Select Class Schedule (All Campuses‘)‘ to navigate to the interactive Class Schedule.  Select the Term, Campus and Department of interest and click ‘List Courses.’  A list of available classes and sections are displayed.  Clicking the Course ID (first column on the left) will display the course syllabus for that course / section.  The syllabus is presented in Adobe PDF format for easy viewing.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Howard College CV Implementation

Howard College uses an online Class Schedule to gain access to instructor curriculum vitae information for each course and section available.  This can be accessed from the main Howard College website (howardcollege.edu) by mousing over the ‘Schedule’ item on the main menu.  Select ‘Class Schedule (All Campuses)‘ to navigate to the interactive Class Schedule.  Select the Term, Campus and Department of interest and click ‘List Courses.’  A list of available classes and sections are displayed.  Clicking the Instructor name (in the Instructor column) will display the course instructors curriculum vitae.  The CV is presented in Adobe PDF format for easy viewing.

BUDGETS

Howard College Budget Implementation

Howard College budgets are presented below in Adobe PDF format which may require an additional piece of software for your computer to be viewed properly.  Most modern web browsers and computing environments have PDF file viewing capabilities but free viewer software is readily available at www.acrobat.com if needed. 

• Howard College – Current Operating Budget 
• SouthWest College for the Deaf (SWCD) Current Operating Budget

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Howard College Additional Requirements Strategy

All syllabus and curriculum vitae information is available in 3 clicks and is searchable via the Howard College class schedule accessible from the main HC website.  All information is posted according to the required timeline and is made available by the seventh class day.  All information is retained for a minimum of two years from the date the information is initially posted.

STANDARDS FOR COMPLIANCE  

Howard College Compliance

All information is updated as needed when course information or instructor specifications change.  An updated version is put in place showing correct information.  An administrative position has been assigned to ensure implementation with duties delegated to additional administrative employees.

Brenda Claxton (CFO)
Phone: (432) 264-5012
Fax: (432) 264-5601
bclaxton@howardcollege.edu

Mailing Address:
Howard College
1001 Birdwell Lane
Big Spring, TX 79720

Howard College is in compliance with the Open Records Act. Outside parties who wish to make a formal request for public information shall send in a written request including details of information requested and format for distribution. All written requests for public information should be sent to:

All requests will be reviewed and a determination will be made as to whether or not the information requested is public in nature. If the information is determined to be public in nature, the requesting party will be charged according to established policy and will not exceed the legal amount established by H.B. 6 (Article 6252-17a, Vernon’s Revised Civil Statutes of Texas). The requesting party will be notified of charges for approval prior to processing the request.

If the information is determined to not be public in nature, the requesting party will be notified and the information will not be released.

The guidelines established in Open Records Act will be followed at all times.

The Howard County Junior College District seeks to maintain an educational and working environment for its students, faculty, and staff that is free from any form of discrimination or harassment including but not limited to sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, interpersonal violence (including domestic violence and dating violence) and stalking. In accordance with federal and state law, the college prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment.

Individuals who alone, or in concert with others, participate or attempt to participate in prohibited conduct described in this policy are subject to disciplinary action by the college, notwithstanding any action that may or may not be taken by civil or criminal authorities.

The college encourages affected individuals to promptly report incidents of sex and/or gender discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, interpersonal violence, and stalking. The college also encourages individuals who may have witnessed instances of prohibited conduct to report such information.

This policy applies to all college students and employees, visitors, applicants for admission to or employment with the college, as well as college affiliates and others conducting business on campus. 

In addition to incidents that occur on the college campus, the college may take disciplinary action in response to incidents that take place during official functions of the college or functions sponsored by student organizations, or incidents that have a substantial connection to the interests of the college regardless of the location in which the incident(s) occur.

The complete employee policy and process for filing complaints can be found in the Employee Handbook, Policy 1.2.

The complete student policy and process for filing complaints can be found in the Student Handbook.

PDF Version

Howard College Policy for Concealed Carry of Handguns on Campus

PURPOSE: This policy/procedure is intended to establish guidelines and procedures for the implementation of the state statute authorizing the concealed carry of handguns on the premises of Howard College. These rules and regulations were established by the president of Howard College in consultation with faculty, staff, and students and reviewed and approved by the Howard County Junior College District Board of Trustees. This policy/procedure will become effective August 1, 2017 and is intended to be in conformity with the requirements of Texas Government Code Section 411.2031. REVIEW: This policy/procedure will be reviewed in August of even numbered years by the Office of the President of Howard College.

POLICY/PROCEDURE
1. Definitions

a.   Campus – all land and buildings owned or leased by Howard College as lessee.
b.   Premises – a building or portion of a building.
c.   Handgun license holder – an individual licensed to carry a concealed handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411 of the Texas Government Code (“Chapter 411”). Generally, such an eligible individual must be at least 21 years of age, not have a criminal record as defined by the code, and meet certain education and proficiency requirements. Chapter 411 contains some exceptions to the age requirement (e.g., ex-military personnel).
d.   Concealed handgun – a handgun, the presence of which is not openly discernible to the ordinary observation of a reasonable person. 
e.   Designated research laboratories – any laboratory, room, or storage area where chemical(s) with a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) label that lists a particular chemical(s) as a 3 or higher in any category of flammability, instability, or health hazard or is listed as radioactive in the special hazard category and, in addition, any labs using or storing biohazardous agents or toxins. The term also includes any laboratory for which federal law, licensing agreements, or a contractual research agreement precludes the presence of firearms.
f.   Exclusionary zone – any premise in which the carry of a concealed handgun is prohibited by virtue of Texas statute or these rules.

2. General Provisions

a.   Subject to applicable Texas or federal laws and rules adopted by the College, individuals holding a valid Texas Concealed Handgun License (CHL) or the state designation for the same, License to Carry (LTC), will be allowed to carry their handgun, concealed on their person, on the campus of Howard College. 
b.   Unless otherwise prohibited, concealed carry license holders may carry their handgun while in Howard College vehicles.
c.   Dual credit classrooms are considered college classes and therefore concealed carry is allowed.
d.   Color Guard firearms may be used on Howard College campuses for use in Color Guard related events.
e.   Pursuant to Texas Penal Code Sections 46.035 and 30.07, the open display of a handgun in plain view of another person on Howard College property is never allowed except by an authorized individual such as a peace officer while in the actual discharge of his/her duty.
f.   While Howard College will employ all reasonable means to delineate exclusionary zones by signage in accord with Texas statutory law, it is the responsibility of the permit holder to know, understand, and follow these rules and applicable laws while on the campus of Howard College. Holders of such permits are bound by state and federal law and may face criminal or civil penalties for violation of those statutes. 
g.   Authorized permit holders are not required to disclose their concealed carry license status to anyone other than a law enforcement officer. The College will not maintain a list of concealed carry license holders. This information is not a matter of public record. Howard College employees (other than a law enforcement officer) may not, under any circumstances, require students or employees to disclose their concealed carry license status.

3. Specific Exclusions to Concealed Carry of a Handgun

a.   Exclusionary zone – The College president is the only person with the authority to declare a specific premise or venue as an exclusionary zone. Therefore, except as provided herein, without the express written consent of the president, no faculty member, staff member, student, or student group may exclude a specific premise or venue as “off limits.” Similarly the Howard College President can authorize concealed carry in exclusionary zones by select campus personnel under special circumstances, as related to security and safety measures put in place by the College.
b.   Exclusion by law – Texas statutes outside of Texas Government Code Section 411.2031 separately provide exclusions of certain premises or events, which provisions are hereby incorporated. Under such laws, concealed carry is prohibited from the following premises or locations:

• Where a high school, collegiate, or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place, including Howard College athletic events;
• Where any UIL sanctioned competition is being held;
• Where any Board of Trustees meeting is being held;
• Any location dealing with Student Conduct or Discipline;
• Where any other official governmental meeting or proceeding is being conducted; and
• Where any official judicial proceeding is being conducted; and
• Where polling is being conducted for local, state, or federal elections; and
• Testing Centers or any other location where standardized tests are being administered.

c.   Additional exclusions are as follows:

• Any premise where professional counseling services are provided;
• Any child care facility including Howard Cottage;
• Any hospital premise used by Howard College for instructional purposes;
• Designated laboratories; 1
• Any College event where alcohol is being served by an organization under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission rules and regulations;
• Performance venues and locations during ticketed events on a case-by-case basis if a temporary designation is obtained from the president pursuant to 3(d) below.

d.   Other specific premises or venues may be declared “off limits” by the College president. Adoption of exclusion for a premise or venue must be reasonably justified. The requestor must provide evidence that a concealed handgun on that particular premise or venue creates some special danger. Requests for exclusion must be provided in writing to the Office of the President of Howard College at least 90 days prior to the date of the event.
e.   To assist in the process of approving exclusions, a standing committee titled the Campus Carry Committee will be established. The committee will be charged with investigating requests for exclusions and making a recommendation to the president concerning the request. The chair and members of this committee will be appointed by the president and will include representatives from the Administrative Dean’s office, the Faculty Senate, and Student Government Association, as well as representatives from the office of Human Resources, the Howard College District General Counsel, and the Howard College Facilities and Emergency Management personnel.
f.   Any premises on which a program, activity, or camp is conducted exclusively for minors may be excluded from concealed carry pursuant to 3(d) above.
g.   License holders should be aware of, and comply with, existing Federal or State statutes when carrying both on and off of Howard College campuses.

4.  College Housing

a.   Handgun license holders residing in Howard College housing accommodations will be allowed to possess handguns on the premise provided that:

(1) such possession is in compliance at all times with Texas statutory law and these rules; and

(2) the license holder stores his/her handgun(s) in a College-approved gun safe installed in the license holder’s room.

b.   Students who are assigned to dorm rooms where a firearm is stored and who are concerned about their wellbeing may request a transfer to another room. Please refer to the College housing contract for specific provisions concerning possession of firearms in College housing.

5. Information to the College Community

Howard College will widely distribute these rules and regulations and offer educational information regarding these rules and safety procedures to the students, staff, and faculty through the College’s website, student and employee handbooks, and other publications.

1   The College president, after review of specific uses of individual laboratories, may, on a limited basis, exempt some laboratories for which the president has determined that the risks of the presence of a handgun is de minimis in comparison to significant logistical challenges presented by declaring such laboratory as an exclusionary zone.

Campus Carry – Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is Campus Carry?  – In 2015, Governor Greg Abbott signed into law Senate Bill 11 – Campus Carry. It allows licensed individuals to carry a concealed firearm (pistol) on public college and university campuses.

2) Who can get a license to carry?  – The License to Carry (formerly Concealed Handgun License) may be obtained from anyone 21 years of age or older provided they pass a state approved course on the laws and use of force as well as a marksmanship test and a background check. The Texas Department of Public Safety issues the license. There are limitations based on one’s criminal record as to who qualifies for the license.

3) I keep hearing about open carry, what is it and how does it affect Campus Carry?  – Open Carry is a separate bill (House Bill 910) that was signed into law the same year as Campus Carry. They are two completely different things. Open carry is not allowed on campus.

4) Can Howard College opt out of the Campus Carry program?  – No. Only private institutions may opt out of the program.

5) What about dual credit? Can we declare our campus off limits because of dual credit students?  – No. The presence of dual credit students or other minors does not allow a college to opt out of the program if they are a state funded institution.

6) What about classrooms that have dual credit students?  – No. The only exception to this rule would be a class that is essentially a K-12 only class taught on our campus – an example would be Gifted and Talented testing.

7) What areas can be off limits then?  – Howard College has put together a committee to formulate policy for presentation to the Board of Trustees via Dr. Sparks. The committee, in accordance with guidance from the Texas Attorney General and the Texas Association of Community Colleges will determine what areas of campus will be off limits. One example of an off limits location would be Howard Cottage, due to the facility’s purpose as a day care, per Texas statutes.

8) What about my classroom or office?  – The attorney general has already ruled that in general classrooms may not be designated off limits. There may be certain exceptions taken into consideration (classrooms with flammable materials for example). Offices typically follow the same rules. Most offices cannot be off limits, with certain exceptions possible, as determined by the college.

9) What if I work and hold my classes at St. Johns or another hospital?  – Per state law, all hospitals are off limits to all license to carry individuals, this includes conceal carry and open carry, regardless of the college’s presence at the hospital in question.

10) Does this mean that our dental program on Big Spring is off limits?  – No, Big Spring campus is not considered a hospital. The dental treatment area is therefore not off limits.

11) What about sporting events on campus?  – According to Texas statute Sec. 46.035 license holders may not carry a weapon on the premises where a high school, collegiate, or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place.

12) How will I know if one or more of my students is carrying a weapon?  – Since campus carry is concealed carry only, you realistically should not see any weapons nor be aware of who is carrying.

13) Can I ask my students who is carrying?  – No. The attorney general has ruled that colleges, their staff and faculty may not ask individuals if they are carrying on campus. Only licensed police officers may do so, and only then during the performance of their duties.

14) What do I do if I see a student openly carrying on campus?  – Contact the extra duty officer on duty if there is one or an administrator – most likely the student is mistakenly open carrying.

15) What if I can see a student’s weapon under his jacket?  – Contact the extra duty officer on duty if there is one or an administrator – most likely, the student is inadvertently revealing his conceal carry weapon.

16) What about students living in the dorms?  – Licensed students who live in the dorms are allowed to have a weapon per the attorney general. Howard College will publish a policy on the safe storage of those firearms for those dorm residents.

Comments or concerns may be sent to campuscarry@howardcollege.edu for consideration.