Back See this section in context: Criterion 1 Core Component 1E

1E.2: Abides by Applicable Laws

Sauk retains the services of Ward Murray Pace and Johnson PC so that legal counsel is present for deliberations and available to ensure legal compliance whenever necessary. All revisions to Board policies are made with the guidance of the college’s legal counsel. Monthly Board meetings are publicized as required by law and are open to the public. Agendas and Minutes for these meetings may be found on the Sauk website or may be requested from the President’s office. The Dean of Institutional Research and Planning is responsible for submitting required legal reports or assuring they are submitted by the appropriate staff person, to state and federal entities.

Following is a brief sampling of selected laws and regulations with which Sauk must comply and the ways in which that compliance is carried out:

• The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is adhered to by the college, which publishes various required statements on the Sauk webpage and in the student handbook. The privacy policy is also communicated to students, via a statement which is required on all course syllabi. An audit of syllabi showed that 100% of the syllabi contained the required statement. A section on FERPA requirements is included in each employee handbook. In addition, new employees are provided the booklet “Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Privacy of Student Records But Were Afraid to Ask” and are trained in the requirements, with a sign off that the employee received the training stored in the employee’s file.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is addressed as an obligation for the college pertaining both to facilities and to academics. Job candidates are informed of Sauk’s ADA policy when they interview on campus. The Special Needs coordinator works with students to provide appropriate accommodations for their specific disabilities. The Instructional Technology Office provides students with specialized equipment, workstations, and software. Although the building was constructed prior to ADA, all of the remodeling projects over the last ten years have adhered to ADA requirements. The 2010 Master Plan has committed Sauk to continued efforts to make the college completely accessible.
• The Emergency Preparedness Plan, developed in 2008 and later revised to meet the requirements of the Illinois Campus Security Enhancement Act of 2008, was coordinated with area emergency responders. The manual has been distributed to college staff with emergency responsibilities and training has been provided to employees who have a role in implementing the procedures. Employees have received regular updates in the Sauk Scout, and monthly posters are displayed in restrooms to update students and visitors.
• Sexual harassment policies are established in board policy () and explained to students in the Student Code of Conduct. Sexual harassment officers are identified on bulletin boards throughout the building and included in the Emergency Preparedness Manual. New hires receive sexual harassment training, and periodic retraining is provided to the entire staff. Online Workforce Harassment Training, which included sexual harassment, was conducted in FY11.