Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended ("FERPA"), sets out requirements designed to afford students certain rights with respect to their education records. In addition, it puts limits on what information TRCOA may disclose to third parties without receiving prior written consent from the student. Students have the right under FERPA to inspect and review their education records. A student who wishes to inspect and review their records should submit a written request to the Campus Director. The request should identify as precisely as possible the records the student wishes to inspect. If the requested records are subject to inspection and review by the student, arrangements for access will be made within a reasonable period of time (not to exceed 45 days after the request was made). The student will be notified of the time and place where the records may be inspected. The school will require the presence of a school official during the inspection and review of a student's records. Certain limitations exist on a student's right to inspect and review their own education records. Also, it should be noted that the term "education record" does not include certain types of records.

TRCOA generally will not permit disclosure of personally identifiable information from the records of a student without prior written consent of the student, although there are some circumstances under which personally identifiable information may be disclosed from the records of a student without that student's prior written consent. Such disclosures may be made to school officials who have legitimate educational interests in the records.

TRCOA will maintain a record indicating the parties who have requested or obtained personally identifiable information from a student's education records and the legitimate interests those parties had in requesting or obtaining the information. This record may be inspected by the student. Exceptions include those requests made by the student themselves, those disclosures made with the written consent of the student, or requests by or disclosures to TRCOA officials with legitimate educational interests, and disclosures of directory information, or other exceptions described in the regulations, Directory information is personally identifiable information which may be disclosed without the student's consent. However, TRCOA grants requests for students who wish to keep their information confidential. Nondisclosure requests should be made to the Campus Director.

Students have the right under FERPA to ask to have records corrected which they believe are inaccurate, misleading or in violation of their privacy rights. The procedures for requesting amendment to a record would be for the student to request the Campus Director for amendment of the record, including specifically which part of the record they want to have changed, and why they believe it to be inaccurate, misleading or in violation of their privacy rights. TRCOA may either amend the record or decide that such amendment is not warranted, in which case it will notify the student of its decision and advise the student of the right to a hearing to challenge the decision.

TRCOA provides students with annual notice of their rights to review their educational records, to request amendments of records, and to request nondisclosure of student directory information. A student has the right to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education concerning alleged failures by TRCOA to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the governmental office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office United States, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202- 4605.

TRCOA has adopted the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) code of conduct for Institution. All officers and employees involved in the awarding of Title IV student loans of the school have acknowledged that they received a copy of the Code, understand it and will adhere to all components of it during their employment at TRCOA.

The Code of Conduct includes:

• Colleges are prohibited from receiving anything of value from any lending institution in exchange for any advantage sought by the lending institution. This severs any inappropriate financial arrangements between lenders and schools and specifically prohibits "revenue sharing" arrangements. Lenders can no longer pay to get on a school's preferred lender list.
• College employees are prohibited from taking anything of more than nominal value from any lending institution. This includes a prohibition on trips for financial aid officers and other college officials paid for by lenders.
• College employees are prohibited from receiving anything of value for serving on the advisory board of any lending institution.
• College preferred lender lists must be based solely on the best interests of the students or parents who may use the list without regard to financial interests of the College. This ensures that preferred lenders will be those the school has determined should be preferred by students as opposed to preferred by the school.
• On all preferred lender lists the College must clearly and fully disclose the criteria and process used to select preferred lenders. Students must also be told that they have the right and ability to select the lender of their choice regardless of the preferred lender list.
• No lender may appear on a preferred lender list if the lender has an agreement to sell its loans to another lender without disclosing this fact. In addition, no lender may bargain to be a preferred lender with respect to a certain type of loan by providing benefits to a College as to another type of loan.
• Colleges must ensure that employees of lenders never identify themselves to students as employees of the colleges. No employee of a lender may ever work in or provide staffing assistance a college financial aid office.

The code can be read in it's entirety at:
nasffa

The successful business operation and reputation of TRCOA is built upon the principles of fair dealing and ethical conduct of our employees. Our reputation for integrity and excellence requires careful observance of the spirit and the letter of all applicable laws and regulations, as well as a scrupulous regard for the highest standards of conduct and personal integrity.

The continued success of TRCOA is dependent upon our students’ trust and we are dedicated to preserving that trust. Employees owe a duty to TRCOA and its students to act in a way that will merit the continued trust and confidence of the public.
TRCOA will comply with all applicable laws and regulations and expects its employees to conduct business in accordance with the letter, spirit, and intent of all relevant laws and to refrain from any illegal, dishonest, or unethical conduct.

In general, the use of good judgment, based on high ethical principles, will guide you with respect to lines of acceptable conduct. If a situation arises where it is difficult to determine the proper course of action, the matter should be discussed openly with your immediate supervisor or Campus Director for advice and consultation.

Compliance with this policy of business ethics and conduct is the responsibility of every TRCOA employee. Disregarding or failing to comply with this standard of business ethics and conduct could lead to disciplinary action, up to and including possible termination of employment.

There are two categories that copyrightable materials fall under:

1) Traditional Works
2) Non-Traditional Works

Traditional Works:

Traditional Works include published articles, manuscripts, books, artworks, music, instructional materials, and other creative products, developed into a tangible medium, whether it is physical or digital.

Non-Traditional Works:

Non-Traditional Works include software and other technologies used to support the electronic capture, storage, retrieval, transformation and presentation of digital data and information or to interface between digital forms and other communications and information media.

TRCOA's policies in regard to copyright infringement via the Internet prohibit the illegal downloading or unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials using TRCOA's information technology system. TRCOA's policies prohibit use of our computer network to engage in illegal copying or distribution of copyrighted works such as by unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing (i.e., the sharing of copyrighted works, typically in digital or electronic files) without permission.

A violation of TRCOA's policy for use of its information technology system can result in termination of network access for the student and/or other disciplinary action including removal of the student from the school. Moreover, there are severe civil and criminal penalties for copyright infringement under federal law. A copyright owner is entitled to recover actual damages and profits resulting from an infringement, but also may recover statutory damages ranging from $750 to $30,000 per work for a non-willful infringement and up to $150,000 for a willful infringement, even if there is no proof of actual damages, in addition to court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. The government also can file criminal charges that can result in fines and imprisonment.

The music industry is very competitive but, with the way our programs are designed, our graduation and placement percentage rates are always going to shine. However, true success is hard to quantify and how these nunbers are calculated by regulators is not always what you might expect. If you have questions about the process please ask. Below are the self-reported data submitted to ACCSC and TWC by the institution in its most recent Campus Accountability Reports.

The median loan debt incurred by students who completed the program.

• Recording Arts Program: N/A

The U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences compiles an annual report containing institutional and state-level information. View our report by clicking below and entering our school name.

The College Navigator Site

IPEDS is the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. It is a system of interrelated surveys conducted annually by the U.S. Department’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). IPEDS gathers information from every college, university, and technical & vocational institution that participates in the federal student financial aid programs. The data is made available to students and parents through the sites listed below.
College Navigator Site IPEDS Data Center

The Net Price Calculator and Pell Grant chart are for prospective and current students.
By answering a few simple questions, the calculator will present you with an early estimate of your full-time cost of attendance and financial aid at TRCOA.

When you complete the calculator online form, you are not applying for aid.
Net Price Calculator Pell Grant ChartIndependent Student ExampleDependent Student Example

Diversity Statistics

It is TRCOA’s desire to provide a drug-free, healthy, and safe workplace. To promote this goal, employees are required to report to work in appropriate mental and physical condition to perform their jobs in a satisfactory manner.

While on TRCOA premises and while conducting business-related activities off TRCOA premises, no employee may use, unlawfully possess, distribute, sell, or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. The legal use of prescribed drugs is permitted on the job only if it does not impair an employee’s ability to perform the essential functions of the job effectively and in a safe manner that does not endanger other individuals in the workplace.

Violations of this policy and the standard of conduct may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, immediate termination of employment, referral for possession, and/or required participation in a substance abuse rehabilitation or treatment program. Such violations may also have legal consequences consistent with local, state, and federal law.

General State Laws
Alcoholic beverages may not be purchased, accepted as a gift, or possessed on any street or highway or other public place by any individual under the legal age of 21. It is illegal for minors to consume or possess alcohol. It is unlawful for anyone of legal age to purchase or obtain alcoholic beverages and then sell, give, or deliver them to a minor. Open containers are prohibited while driver, unless transported to the trunk of the car where neither the driver nor passengers have access. If the driver has a blood-alcohol level of anything over .08, they will be charged as a Driving Under the Influence conviction.

Federal Sanctions (according to Title 21 U.S.C. 844a)
Federal penalties and sanctions for illegal possession of a controlled substance include the following:

First Conviction Up to 1 year in prison, fine of $1,000 to $100,000, or both
After 1 Prior Conviction At least 15 days in prison, not to surpass 2 years, $5,000 to but not exceeding $250,000 fine, or both
After 2 or more Prior Convictions At least 90 days and up to 3 years in prison, $5,000 to $250,000 fine, or both.
Special federal sentencing provisions for possession of crack cocaine: Mandatory minimum imprisonment of 5 years, not to exceed 20 years and fined up to $250,000, or both, if:
(a) 1st conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 5 grams.
(b) 2nd crack conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 3 grams.
(c) 3rd or subsequent crack conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds
1 gram.

Additional federal sanctions may also apply including forfeiture of property and transportation methods used to contain and/or convey controlled substances. Denial of federal benefits includes student loans, grants, and contracts and denial or revocation of certain federal licenses and benefits for up to one year under the first offense and up to 5 years for the second or more offenses.

Civil Fines of up to $10,000 may be issued upon incrimination for possession, use or distribution of drugs and alcohol in an unlawful manner.
Employees with problems with alcohol and certain drugs that have not resulted in, and are not the immediate subject of, disciplinary action may request approval to take unpaid time off to participate in a rehabilitation or treatment program. Leave may be granted if the employee agrees to abstain from use of the problem substance and abides by all TRCOA policies, rules, and prohibitions relating to conduct in the workplace, and if granting the leave will not cause TRCOA any undue hardship.

Health Risks
Information Taken From:
NIAAA

Alcohol
Alcohol goes directly into the bloodstream, physically affecting the whole body. Some illnesses and health problems caused by alcohol include:

• High blood pressure. Along with being overweight, high blood pressure is associated with many serious health problems.
• Depressed immune system. Impaired immunity makes you more likely to contract viral illnesses such as flu and infections.
• Liver disease. Heavy drinking can cause fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis and cancer of the liver. The liver breaks down alcohol at the rate of only one drink per hour.
• Alcohol poisoning. Drinking large amounts can result in alcohol poisoning, which causes unconsciousness and even death. Breathing slows, and the skin becomes cold and may look blue. Don't let a person in this condition "sleep it off." Call 911.
• Heart or respiratory failure. Excessive drinking can have serious results. Heart or respiratory failure often means death.
• Alcoholism. Alcoholism is a disease to which some people seem predisposed. Alcoholics are unable to control their drinking--how much, when, and if. Alcoholism puts you at great risk for other health problems, and it can shorten your life by more than 10 years. Alcoholism cannot be cured, but it can be treated.

Other long-term effects of heavy alcohol use include loss of appetite, vitamin deficiencies, stomach ailments, sexual impotence, central nervous system damage, and memory loss.

Drugs
Like many prescription drugs, "recreational" drugs come with potentially harmful side effects that can have serious and long-term effects on your health.

High doses of many of the drugs, or impure or more dangerous subsitutes for these drugs, can cause immediate life-threatening health problems such as heart attack, respiratory failure, and coma. Combining drugs with each other or with alcohol is especially dangerous.

• Barbiturates and tranquilizers are commonly abused prescription drugs. They can cause hangover-like symptoms, nausea, seizures, and coma. Overdose or mixing these drugs with alcohol can be fatal.
• Cocaine can cause such long-term problems as tremors, seizures, psychosis, and heart or respiratory failure.
• LSD can cause nausea, rapid heart rate, depression, and disorientation. Long-term effects include paranoia and psychosis.
• Marijuana and hashish can cause rapid heart rate and memory impairment soon after use. Long-term effects include cognitive problems, infertility, weakened immune system, and possible lung damage.
• Narcotics such as heroin can bring on respiratory and circulatory depression, dizziness, impotence, constipation, and withdrawal sickness. Overdoses can lead to seizures and death.
• PCP, in addition to triggering unpredictable and violent behavior, can cause dizziness, numbness, high heart rate and blood pressure, convulsions, and in high amounts fatal heart and lung failure or ruptured blood vessels.
• Stimulants such as amphetamines have health effects that include high heart rate and blood pressure, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, impotence, skin disorders, tremors, seizures, and psychosis

Employees with questions or concerns about substance dependency or abuse are encouraged to discuss these matters with the Director to receive assistance or referrals to appropriate resources in the community. There are several ways to prevent drug and alcohol abuse. Telling a trusted source and keeping the lines of communication open with someone you feel close enough to share that information with is a good step in preventing further abuse. There are support groups and awareness programs dedicated to the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse. Educating yourself on health risks associated with substance abuse and practicing abstinence from substances is an effective way towards prevention. A pamphlet with educational content will be available to each employee of TRCOA, as well as the below listed information on programs available:

• Homeward Bound Inc, Residential short-term sober living drug treatment, Residential long-term drug rehab treatment sober living, outpatient drug rehab, Substance abuse day treatment for Recovery Related Services

• Nexus Recovery Center, Residential short-term sober living drug treatment, Residential long-term drug rehab treatment sober living, Outpatient drug rehab, Substance abuse day treatment for Recovery Related Service, Outpatient substance abuse treatment and drug rehab program

• Salvation Army, Residential short-term sober living drug treatment, Residential long-term drug rehab treatment sober living, outpatient drug rehab, Substance abuse day treatment for Recovery Related Services

• Primary Purpose Group, Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book Study

• Drug Addicts Anonymous, Narcotics Big Book Study

For a full list substance abuse and recovery resources, visit
http://interventionamerica.org

Employees with questions on this policy or issues related to drug or alcohol use in the workplace should raise their concerns with their supervisor or the Vice President without fear of reprisal.

Medical Marijuana
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) permits TRCOA to prohibit the use of any illegal drugs while on school premises or on the clock, whether a prescription has been issued to the employee or not. The term “illegal use of drugs” means using and possessing drugs of which is unlawful under the federal Controlled Substances Act. The term thus includes the use of marijuana for any purpose, including medical prescriptions.

TRCOA recognizes the need for responsible citizenship. Part of this responsibility includes the necessity to participate in federal, state and local elections. To comply with the Higher Education Act, students receive an email that provides them with information about how to register to vote. A link to the state voter registration site is included below, as well as information about the Higher Education Act.

Any Texas student not registered to vote may obtain information at:
http://sos.state.tx.us/elections/

Any California student not registered to vote may obtain information at:
SOS.CA.GOV

Additional organizations that provide voter registration information:
Rock the Vote Student Vote

The 1998 Higher Education Act requires all post-secondary institutions to make a good-faith effort to distribute voter registration forms to each degree- or certificate-seeking student who attends classes on campus. The forms, which are supplied by each state, must be distributed before the registration cut-off date for every federal and gubernatorial election, as well as special elections for federal office. In 2008, the Higher Education Act was amended making it permissible to electronically distribute information related to voter registration.

1998 Higher Education Act
Title IV - Student Assistance, Part G - General Provisions 489. Program Participation Agreements

PROVISION OF VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS

(1) PROGRAM PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT- Section 487(a) (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(23)(A) The institution, if located in a state to which section 4(b) of the National Voter Registration Act (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-2(b)) does not apply, will make a good faith effort to distribute a mail voter registration form, requested and received from the state, to each student enrolled in a degree or certificate program and physically in attendance at the institution, and to make such forms widely available to students at the institution.

(B) The institution shall request the forms from the state 120 days prior to the deadline for registering to vote within the state. If an institution has not received a sufficient quantity of forms to fulfill this section from the state within 60 days prior to the deadline for registering to vote in the state, the institution shall not be held liable for not meeting the requirements of this section during that election year.

(C) This paragraph shall apply to elections as defined in section 301(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(1)), and includes the election for governor or other chief executive within such State).

(2) REGULATION PROHIBITED- No officer of the executive branch is authorized to instruct the institution in the manner in which the amendment made by this subsection is carried out.

The Higher Education Amendments of 2008 added the following text to the Voter Registration Act:

(D) The institution shall be considered in compliance with the requirements of subparagraph (A) for each student to whom the institution electronically transmits a message containing a voter registration form acceptable for use in the state in which the institution is located, or an Internet address where such a form can be downloaded, if such information is in an electronic message devoted exclusively to voter registration.

The Jeanne Clery Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act

is the landmark federal law, originally known as the Campus Security Act, that requires colleges and universities across the United States to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. The law is tied to an institution's participation in federal student financial aid programs and it applies to most institutions of higher education both public and private. The Act is enforced by the United States Department of Education.

TRCOA keeps statistics on all criminal actions or emergenices that occur on our premises. Administration also contacts our local Police Departments annually requesting criminal statistics in the area surrounding campus. The charts below display statistics concerning the occurance of the offenses reportable for under The Cleary Act for the four most recent calendar years (Pending Data).

TRCOA School Catalog

Performance Fact Sheet (Pending)

1. The Recording Conservatory of Austin (TRCOA) has signed and returned a document to the Department of Education titled “Recipient’s Funding Certification and Agreement Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act”. TRCOA will use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
2. Pursuant to the aforementioned Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students, the total amount of funds that TRCOA has received from the Department of Education amounts to $10,331.00.
3. As of July 9th, 2020, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed by TRCOA to students is $10,331.00.
4. The number of students at TRCOA eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 12.
5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of September 30th, 2020 is 12.
6. The following methods were used by TRCOA to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act...
   Funds disbursed to eligible students were distributed evenly. The criteria for determining which students were eligible included the following two main factors. 1) The student has to be in good academic standing. 2) The student must have successfully completed more than 10% of their overall program hours to be considered for grant funding.
7. Because of the small number of students receiving HEER funding at our institution, the TRCOA Director contacted each student directly with a friendly suggestion to spend the Emergency Financial Aid Grant money wisely to pay for essentials, pay off debt, or place the money in savings for a possible financial hardship in the future. Funds were subsequently distributed via check written to the student (or parent depending on the student’s dependent/independent status).