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STUDENT COMPLAINT/GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE   American School of Technology is sensitive to the concerns and/or complaints from our students. We sincerely want you to get the most out of your training in order for you to pursue career opportunities in your major course of study. The faculty and staff have been selected because of their competencies and dedication in assisting you in reaching your goals.   Should you have a concern/complaint about your training, please ask your instructor first. If your instructor is unable to assist you, please see one of the following individuals.   Barb Ruble – Director of Education   Should you have a concern/complaint about Admissions, please see:   Scott Cohen –Director of Admissions   Should you have a concern/complaint about your Financial Aid, please see:   Melissa Howell – Director of Financial Aid   Should you have a concern/complaint about Job Placement Assistance, please see   Martine Knisley – Director of Career Services   The school is committed to helping students achieve their goals and objectives.  The school is responsive to issues of concern raised by its students.  If you have additional concerns or the complaint has not been resolved to your satisfaction, please visit the School Director. Issues remaining unresolved at the school level may be directed to the State Board of Career Colleges and Schools, 35 East Gay Street, Suite 403, Columbus, Ohio  43215-3138, (614) 466-2752.   Schools accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology must have a procedure and operational plan for handling student complaints.  If a student does not feel that the school has adequately addressed a complaint or concern, the student may consider contacting the Accrediting Commission.   All complaints considered by the Commission must be in written form, with permission from the complainant(s) for the Commission to forward a copy of the complaint to the school for a response.  The complainant(s) will be kept as well as the final resolution by the Commission.  Please direct all inquiries to:   Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology 2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 302 Arlington, VA  22201 (703) 247-4212   A copy of the Commission’s Complaint Form is available at the school and may be obtained by contacting Timothy Campagna, School Director.   ATTENDANCE POLICY   Class attendance is an important and vital part of the student’s education; therefore students are required to attend all class sessions. Attendance records are a valuable tool used by various school departments when working with prospective employers of students. Negligent attendance may seriously affect a graduate’s prospect to gain employment.   Students who miss more than twenty percent (20%) of the total classroom days scheduled for the program may fail or may be dropped from the course. Students who miss more than fifty percent (50%) of the class time for a given day will be considered absent for the day. Students who have been absent from all of their scheduled classes for more than eight (8) school days (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program, Medical Assisting program, & Medical Billing and Coding, Evening program) or for more than ten (10) school days (Medical Billing and Coding program, Day program) may fail the course or may be dropped from the course.   Students who miss five (5) days out of the scheduled class days will be advised that they are at risk of either failing the course or being withdrawn from the course. Students who miss more than twenty percent (20%) of the scheduled class days will be advised that they may fail or be withdrawn from the course.   If withdrawn, students may appeal their withdrawal within three school days in order to continue their training without interruption. If their withdrawal is not successfully appealed, they will remain dropped from the course. Students must initiate the process by submitting a written request for re-admittance to the school president. The written request must address the reason(s) for withdrawal and make a substantial showing of good cause to justify readmissions.   We understand that absences for personal reasons or illness are sometimes unavoidable, but students must call their instructor and/or the school if they are going to be absent or late and these are not considered excused absenses Students are encouraged to schedule medical, dental, or other personal appointments after school hours.   VA students who exceed twenty percent (20%) class term absences per term will be placed on probation. At the end of the term, if the cumulative absences exceed twenty percent (20%) of the class hours attempted, the VA benefits will be terminated and the student is subject to termination from school.   Military/Reserve Training: A veteran or reservist who is required to attend training will be reported to the DVA for this temporary absence.   The student is required to make-up work missed as a result of his/her absence.  The Instructor will assign the work to be completed for each absence. In the event a student absence prevents the student from completing a class, a grade of I (incomplete) may be given. See the policy for incomplete grades in the student catalog.   Mitigating Circumstances   Dismissal from a program or for failure to meet the attendance standard may be appealed on the basis of unanticipated extenuating and mitigating circumstances. Students are to continue to attend class during the appeal process. Should the appeal be granted, the student is reinstated to regular status. Should the appeal be denied, the student is withdrawn from all classes and will not be charged for any attendance while the appeal was pending. Note: Students should be prepared to produce documentation or proof of the mitigating circumstances.