Dean of Students

Know your rights as a student, and your responsibilities as a member of our college community.

• Standards of Student Conduct (Policy 5.15)
• Student Discipline and Appeals (Policy 5.16)
• Academic Integrity (Policy 2.22)
• Classroom Expectations & Disciplinary Withdrawal (Policy 2.25)
• Student Handbook

We’re committed to your safety, wellness, and peace of mind. Whether you’re facing personal challenges or safety concerns, we have resources to assist.

• Counseling and Victim Advocacy Services
• Drug & Alcohol Awareness Prevention
• Suicide Awareness & Prevention
• Title IX
• Safety & Security

Use the OTC Cares online referral form to report a concern. Have a question about an Ozarks Tech policy or who to contact for help? Check here.

• OTC Cares: Your Hub for Support (submit your OTC Cares referral form)
• Ask the Dean
• Public Disclosures & Reports
• Policies and Procedure Manual

The Dean of Students office oversees several additional processes designed to support students navigating unique situations.

The Late Withdrawal

Policy 5.32 provides an option for students who experience a significant, unexpected hardship after the last day to withdraw from a class. It is not used for routine mid-semester withdrawal requests or for medical withdrawals, but rather for rare situations where a student could not meet the published withdrawal deadline due to circumstances beyond their control. A petition and supporting documentation are required, and approval is not guaranteed. For full details and the required form, please visit the policy page.

5.32 – Late Withdrawal – OTC Policies and Procedures

Student Grievance Procedures

Students sometimes have concerns or questions and may be unsure where or how to report them. When this happens, the Dean of Students is available to help. Students can reach out directly, and the Dean of Students will ensure the concern is routed to the appropriate office, addressed under the correct policy, or handled through the general Student Grievance Procedure. Our goal is to make sure every concern is heard and directed to the right place.

Policy 5.17 – Grievance Procedure for Students

Criminal History and Disciplinary Review

Ozarks Tech is committed to helping all applicants understand their options. As part of the admission application, you will be asked to report any pending felony charges, felony convictions, sex offenses, or previous college disciplinary history. These questions are required and help us learn about your background, discuss any program or enrollment restrictions, clarify expectations, and connect you with support. A criminal history or previous disciplinary record does not automatically prevent admission to the college.

If you answered “yes” to either question on your application, you should have received an email with instructions and a link to the appropriate form. If you did not receive the email, have questions, or would like to discuss how pending felony charges, felony convictions, sex offenses, or previous disciplinary history may affect admission or program placement, please contact the Dean of Students Office at [email protected].

All information is reviewed confidentially. In some cases, additional documentation may be requested. The review focuses only on factors related to college admission, campus safety, and program eligibility. Once complete, you will receive notification of the outcome and any next steps. If additional requirements apply to a specific academic program, licensure, clinical placement, internship, or background check process, the Dean of Students Office will help connect you with the appropriate department.

Communicable Disease Notification

OTC is committed to maintaining a healthy learning environment while supporting students who may be affected by a communicable disease. Students who receive a diagnosis or have been advised that they may have a communicable condition are encouraged to notify their instructors and contact the Dean of Students. This helps us provide appropriate support, monitor academic needs, and connect students with resources.

Examples of communicable diseases and the communicable disease procedures are outlined in Policy 4.08. Please note that tuberculosis (TB) is addressed separately in the college’s TB policy.

Policy 4.08 – Communicable Diseases

Policy 5.39 – Tuberculosis Screening & Testing

For additional information or support, please email [email protected]

The Dean of Students Office supports a student-centered learning environment that nurtures personal growth, responsible citizenship, and character development.

We contribute to and help lead the Ozarks Tech culture of care by supporting key student support services, including Counseling Services, Victim Advocacy Services, and the Behavioral Intervention Team. Through collaboration with multiple college partners, we help ensure students have timely access to the resources they need to navigate challenges and thrive.

The Dean of Students also serves as the college’s primary student conduct officer, upholding Ozarks Tech’s Standards of Student Conduct with fairness and integrity.