Student and Staff Privacy and Personal Information Policy

This policy includes the stipulations in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Collection
Staff and student personal information is vital to the survival of Berkeley Adult School. We are required to collect personal information directly from BAS students to get specific program funding from other agencies. This funding enables BAS to provide low-cost and no-fee classes. The information helps BAS make management decisions regarding which courses to offer. It also guides BAS in its communication with students. Staff personal information is crucial for communication, payroll and other administrative tasks.

Use
BAS uses student information to keep students informed about their classes and about similar courses in which they may be interested in. Students can choose NOT to be contacted by the school by contacting the main office.

This information is also used:
to accommodate staff and students in case of a medical emergency,
to inquire about attendance or academic issues that may prevent a student from completing courses,
Career Technical Education students may be contacted later for course evaluations or employment information,
staff members may be contacted for administrative or curricular reasons.

Privacy Notice
BAS has video surveillance in strategic locations on campus for student and staff safety. The video information is stored on a computer and is deleted after 7 days.

Disclosure
Berkeley Adult School keeps the individual identity of staff and students' private when their personal information is shared with other agencies. Only authorized State of California or Berkeley Unified School District auditors are allowed, under our supervision, to view original files which disclose personal information with names. Staff and students' personal information is protected and will not leave the Berkeley Adult School campus without prior consent.

Exceptions
Some groups, such as law enforcement agencies, have a lawful or investigative need to collect, use and disclose personal information without having to obtain the consent of the concerned individuals.

For these reasons, certain exemptions are included:
if the action clearly benefits the individual,
if obtaining permission could infringe on the information's accuracy,
where such data can contribute to a legal investigation or aid in an emergency where lives and safety could be at stake,
if disclosure aids, in times of emergency, matters of legal investigation, or facilitates the conservation of historically important records.

Staff and Student Record Access
Staff and students who have questions regarding their personal information or want to view their personal information can do so by contacting the main office at 510.644.6130 and requesting an appointment with an administrator.
Refunds and Other Policies

Refund Policy for ESL and High School/GED Classes
When ESL and High School/GED students register for classes, they pay a nonrefundable $30 registration fee to cover processing, placement/assessment testing, and orientation.

Refund Policy for CTE and Communiity Interest Classes
Please note: Classes registered online MAY NOT be cancelled for refund online. You must call the office (510.644.6130) or come into the office in person to request a refund for a class registered online.
Please choose your classes carefully. Refunds will be offered up to 1 business day before the start of the first class meeting. After that, no refunds or transfer of fees will be issued unless a class is cancelled by the school. No exceptions to this policy. A visitor's pass (good for 30 minutes) is available from the Main Office if you're unsure of a class. Speak with the instructor if you have questions about the class or your particular situation. An instructor may drop a student who misses five or more class hours, and no refund will be issued.

Admissions
Classes are primarily for adults 18 years and older. Children are not permitted in adult school classes.

Accessibility
Classes are wheelchair accessible via two elevators. If you require specific accommodation due to a disability, please call 510.644.6130 and make your request at least two weeks in advance of your start date.

Children
Children are not permitted in adult school classes.

Class Closures
Classes with low enrollment or low attendance may be canceled by the administrator. If a class is canceled, please apply for your refund within five days of the cancel date.

Equal Opportunity
Berkeley Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or sex in any of its policies or procedures related to admissions, employment, financial aide, educational services, programs or activities.

Fees and Class Size
ESL, Adult Basic Education, High School Diploma/GED classes have a non-refundable fee for processing, placement/assessment, and orientation. Lifelong Learning classes have a non-refundable registration fee. Check the individual pages for details. Fee-based classes (community service classes) are listed with class fees in the catalog and on this website in the class listings. Fees are based on the number of students needed to cover class cost. Classes with low enrollment may have the fees and/or hours adjusted, or may be cancelled.

Foreign Students
Berkeley Adult School is not a post-secondary institution. Hours of attendance at this school do not fulfill the educational requirements of any contract that requires attendance at a post-secondary institution, such as an au pair contract or the requirements of a visa. BAS does not issue visas or validate visas. All necessary travel documents should be handled by the issuing agency in the student's home country before travelling to the United States.

Notice About Checks
There will be a service charge of $25 on all checks which fail to clear through your bank.

Registration
Pre-registration is required for career technical and fee-based (community interest) classes. Check the Registration Information page for details. Classes risk cancellation if the minimum number of students is not reached BEFORE the first class session. We price our classes affordably to cover our costs for teachers' salaries, teaching materials, and classroom facilities. If we do not have the minimum number of students in a class, we will give the students the option of paying a slightly higher class fee, reducing the number of hours of instruction, or cancelling the class. We do not like to cancel a class, so register NOW and attend.

Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in all BAS buildings and in posted areas.

Uniform Complaint Procedure
In accordance with state guidelines, the District has adopted Uniform Complaint Procedures which shall be followed when addressing complaints alleging unlawful discrimination, harassment or intimidation, or failure to comply with state and federal laws related to adult basic education programs, consolidated categorical programs, Career Technical Education programs, and special education programs. A copy of the Uniform Complaint Procedures may be obtained from the Principal's Office.

Waiver
Registered students or legal guardians of registered students participating in Berkeley Adult School programs agree to hold Berkeley Unified School District free and harmless from any claim or expense that may arise from participation in the program(s). Berkeley Unified School District does not carry medical insurance for its students.