Administrative Policies

Courses Cancelled by PCNW

If the Center fails to fulfill its obligation to complete any course after the course has begun, the students enrolled are entitled to a refund of all tuition and fees paid for the course.

Late Payment Penalty

If any tuition or lab fee payment is not made in full within 15 days of its due date, the student may be suspended from classes and use of darkrooms and studio. If the student fails to make any three-part payment when due, the Center may declare the entire amount of the indebtedness immediately due and payable. The student is further liable for all costs and attorneys' fees for the collection of any amount not paid when due.

Refund Policies After Classes Start

• The amount of tuition refunded after classes begin is determined by the withdrawal date and state regulations. The withdrawal date is defined as the postmark date on written withdrawals, the date of a conversation with the Registrar, or the last date of actual attendance at the Center (if earlier sufficient notice of termination is not received by the Center). All refunds will be computed from the withdrawal date.
• Notice given to the instructor rather than the administration is not considered notice of withdrawal.

Ten-week Classes:

• If a student withdraws before the second class, the Center will retain only the $15.00 registration fee and $20.00 deposit per class.
• If a student withdraws on or after the date of the second class and before the fourth class, the Center will retain 25% of the tuition, lab and/or studio fee(s), and registration fee.
• If a student withdraws on or after the date of the fourth class and before the sixth class, the Center will retain 50% of the tuition, lab and/or studio fee(s), and registration fee.
• If a student withdraws on or after the date of the sixth class, the Center will retain the full tuition, lab and/or studio fee(s), and registration fee.

In any case in which a refund is due a student, the refund shall be made within 30 days of receiving the student's notice of cancellation or withdrawal from the school. Tuition refunds will be issued in the form of a check.

Refund Policies for Workshops

Workshops

• Cancellation by PCNW: full refund.
• Cancel more than seven days before the workshop: PCNW retains $15 registration fee.
• Cancel less than seven days before the workshop: no refund.

Immersion Workshops

• Cancellation by PCNW: full refund.
• Cancel four weeks or more before workshop start date: PCNW retains $15 registration fee.
• Cancel less than four weeks before workshop start date: no refund (unless otherwise noted in description).

The Photographic Center Northwest is not responsible for cancellations due to medical emergencies nor reimbursement of non-refundable airline tickets, even in the event of a workshop cancellation by PCNW. To cover that eventuality, we suggest you explore the option of refundable tickets and travel insurance.

Re-Registration

PCNW has a right to deny re-registration of a student until all financial obligations to PCNW have been met.

Sexual Harassment Policy

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:

• submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person's employment or academic advancement;
• submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions or academic decisions affecting the person; or
• such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a person's work or academic performance by creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

Complaint Procedure:

If any student feels he or she has been subjected to any instance of sexual harassment, he or she shall immediately report the incident to the Director of Education or Executive Director. The administration will promptly and fairly review all complaints, and conduct an investigation whenever indicated. To the highest degree possible, allowing for a fair investigation, the school will treat all complaints in a confidential manner. At a minimum, any investigation will include interviews with the person bringing the complaint and the alleged offender.

Corrective Action:

If, as a result of the investigative process, it is determined that an individual has violated the sexual harassment policy, PCNW will take prompt corrective action. The nature of the corrective action will be commensurate with the nature of the offense and the frequency of the behavior, and the corrective action may include disciplinary sanctions up to and including termination of employment or contract, or expulsion from the school.

Standards of Ethical Practice

It is the policy of the Photographic Center Northwest to conduct all programs without discrimination on the basis of sex, race, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status. This policy applies to admissions, counseling, training, placement, and employment and to all aspects of the organization and administration of programs. Any inquiries by individuals pertaining to the above, including the provisions of Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972 as further amended, or under the handicapped discrimination provisions of Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, should be sent to the Executive Director of the school who is the reviewing officer. The school will not knowingly enroll a student who cannot benefit from the training.

Tuition and Expenses For All Students

Tuition for Photographic Center Northwest classes is charged at a per credit rate. Courses that require a access to a darkroom, digital lab or studio in order to complete assignments in the course are noted in the catalog. To use Photographic Center Northwest facilities to complete assignments, the student must pay a fee in addition to tuition. For current tuition and fees, see the quarterly schedule of the Photographic Center Northwest. Most courses require purchase of equipment or supplies in order to participate in the class or to complete assignments. For example, for many classes, students must have a 35 mm manually adjustable camera and purchase their own paper and film. The cost of such supplies and quanity used will vary widely depending upon course and student needs.

Also see Estimated Cost of the Certificate Program