Misrepresentation

 Federal regulations under 34 CFR Subpart F prohibit Southwestern College, its employees, representatives, and any organization or individual acting on behalf of the college from making false, erroneous, or misleading statements to students, prospective students, or the public. This applies to all communications — written, verbal, visual, or digital — including the college website, marketing materials, advertising, and recruiting activities.

Misrepresentation includes not only false statements but also statements that omit information in a way that makes them misleading. These obligations extend to anyone the college contracts with to provide educational programs or marketing, advertising, recruiting, or admissions services.

The following describes how Southwestern College ensures compliance with these requirements across four areas defined by the regulations.

Nature of Education Program (34 CFR 668.72)

To ensure that the nature of its educational programs is not misrepresented, Southwestern College clearly outlines program information in the college catalog, policies and procedures, Program and Course Approval Handbook, Institutional Program Review Handbook, and the college website. All academic programs are reviewed annually as part of the Institutional Program Review process to assess needs in the areas of curriculum, personnel, facilities, equipment, supplies, and technology.

Offices Responsible

• Academic Affairs
• Academic Services
• Academic Senate: Curriculum Committee

Nature of Financial Charges (34 CFR 668.73)

To ensure that the nature of financial charges is not misrepresented, information about costs is outlined in the college catalog, policies and procedures, and the college website. Procedures are reviewed annually in preparation for each new academic term.

Offices Responsible

• Financial Services
• Financial Aid Office
• Cashier

Employability of Graduates (34 CFR 668.74)

To ensure that the employability of graduates is not misrepresented, program outcome and employment information is outlined in the college catalog, policies and procedures, and the college website.

Offices Responsible

• Academic Affairs

Relationship with Department of Education (34 CFR 668.75)

Southwestern College, its representatives, and any organization with which the college has an agreement may not describe the college's participation in Title IV federal financial aid programs in a way that suggests the U.S. Department of Education has approved or endorsed the quality of its educational programs.