The actually-not-all-that-boring Student Handbook
At SVC, we're not big on policies, procedures, or paperwork. Still, there are a few rules of the road we'd like everyone who comes here to know about. So please take the 4-1/2 minutes required to scan through these guidelines. And if the answer isn't here, email us and we'll get you one.
Tuition and Fees Student Necessities School Hours and Class Cancellations Enrollment and Registration School Policies Certificate ProgramTuition and fees
Financial Aid
SVC does not provide student loans. We will, however, allow students to make payments based on this schedule:
- 1/3 payment due at registration
- 1/3 payment due 30 days after the start of your first class
- 1/3 payment due 60 days after the start of your first class
There is a $25 charge per quarter for using the above extended payment plan. Any unpaid balances due on SVC's payment plan will accrue a monthly 1.5% finance charge.
Registration Fees
A non-refundable registration fee of $45 is required for all students enrolling in a five- or ten-week course who have not taken an SVC evening class in the past 13 months.
Refunds and Dropped Classes
SVC may, on occasion, cancel a class due to insufficient enrollment. Students will be notified as soon as possible when a class is cancelled, and will receive a full refund of all fees for cancelled classes.
You may also receive a partial refund of your tuition if you drop a class or your enrollment is terminated by SVC due to lack of progress or disciplinary problems. In these cases, this is the schedule for determining the amount of your refund:
% Class Sessions Held |
% Tuition Refunded |
|---|---|
| Up to 10% | 90% |
| 10-24% | 75% |
| 25-50% | 50% |
| More than 50% | 0% |
In addition to these refunds, there is a $50 cancellation fee for no-shows and enrollees dropping a one-day workshop without a valid excuse within 3 business days of the scheduled start time. Finally, the $45 registration fee required of students taking 5- or 10-week classes will not be refunded when you drop a class.
This refund policy is in accordance with Washington State Law, 490-105-130 (RCW 28C.10.050 (1)(b)). You can read the state's complete rules concerning refunds.
If you drop a class because you're unhappy with the quality of the instruction then SVC would definitely like to talk with you and work out a more favorable refund.
Student Necessities
Library
SVC maintains a library that students may use from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday while classes are in session. Books may be checked out at the front desk. Students failing to return books will be charged for the replacement cost of the books.
Internet
Free wireless internet service is available throughout the building. A password is required and will be provided by the SVC office upon request.
Parking
Parking in the SVC lot is limited and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. After 6 p.m., you can also park in spaces along the alley near Glazer's Camera. Plentiful street parking is also available to the east and south of the building. Do NOT park in spaces that are marked "reserved."
School Hours and Class Cancellations
Office Hours
The SVC office is open from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday when classes are in session. When classes aren't in session, the office closes at 5:00 p.m. The office usually closes at 2 p.m. on Fridays whether classes are in session or not.
Class Cancellations
Classes may be cancelled if an instructor is ill or unable to attend. We will notify you as early as possible if you provide us with your current telephone numbers and email addresses. If you think classes might be cancelled due to snow or other weather conditions, call the SVC office at 206.623.1560 to listen for recorded messages. Generally, SVC follows the same cancellation policies as the University of Washington, whose closures are announced on the U.W. web site, and on TV and radio. Any classes missed due to weather cancellations will be made up at the end of the quarter.
Enrollment and Registration
Admissions
There are no formal education requirements to enroll in SVC's classes or workshops, nor is a portfolio necessary to begin course work. In some cases, though, there are prerequisites for individual classes and workshops. You'll find them detailed in the course descriptions. There is, however, one pre-condition to taking classes at SVC: We ask that you have at least completed your high school education. Fair enough?
School Policies
Conduct and Effort
Although effort is highly subjective, students not making a genuine effort to complete class assignments with a reasonable degree of work and attention to detail or those who consistently miss class, arrive late, or interfere with the learning opportunities of other students may be asked to withdraw from a class after an interview with the instructor and SVC administrators. In this event, the student's tuition will be refunded according to the policies listed in the Refunds and Dropped Classes section.
Equal Opportunity
The School of Visual Concepts believes that learning has nothing to do with your sex, race, religion, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or physical abilities. So, these factors are not an issue in accepting you for admission to SVC.
Sexual Harassment
Our goal is keep SVC as a place where students are free from unwelcome advances, inappropriate verbal or physical contact, or anything that creates a hostile or offensive environment. If another student or faculty member crosses those lines, please let one of SVC's directors know immediately. Staff or students who are found to have violated SVC's harassment policy will be dismissed immediately.
Alcohol and Drug Use
The use of alcohol (outside of sanctioned social functions) or illegal substances at SVC is strictly prohibited. Students who come to class under the influence will be asked to leave and will be withdrawn from SVC without a refund.
Smoking
Smoking is permitted only on the exterior walkways and front parking lot of the School, provided you're at least 25 feet away from a doorway, open window, or air intake (sorry, that's a state law).
Certificate Program
How Certificates are Awarded
Students can request that their portfolios be considered eligible for certification. If your SVC advisor agrees that your portfolio is ready for review, then it will be considered by a panel of top professionals in your particular field of study. If this panel agrees that your work meets SVC's standards, then you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion. If your portfolio falls short, then the panel of reviewers will provide you with written instructions and suggestions about how to improve your work for your next review.
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